Three Brazilian drivers were invited to take part in the Adria test, at the wheel of the FIA ETCC Alfa Romeo 156 GTA. They are all well known, and experienced in top-level motor sport competitions. Tarso Marques (27) made several appearances in Formula 1 for Minardi, Ricardo Mauricio (23) raced in the FIA F3000 series, and Enrique Bernoldi (25), a former European Formula Renault champion, spent two F1 seasons at Sauber. For them all, the test in Adria was the first experience in a front-wheel-drive Touring car.

“It’s pretty much different from Formula 1, but I liked it a lot,” Maques said “I had fun, and I think that it should be exciting to race with these cars, because the ETCC is a very competitive championship. I thank Alfa Romeo and Autodelta for this opportunity; I hadn’t raced for long time, and this was a new and important experience for me.”

Mauricio declared: “The Alfa is slower than Formula cars, but it’s nice to drive, and its engine is very good. I was constantly improving and I liked a lot. I watched the ETCC in Estoril this year, and I was impressed. The races are short, and drivers have to drive always like in qualifying. However, I believe that speed is not all for being a top ETCC driver. You have to learn how to work together with your team and team-mates. This is what Tarquini, Larini and Colciago did, and this is why Alfa won the championship.”

Bernoldi stated: “I was not lucky with the weather, because there was a lot of water on the track when it was my turn. But the car impressed me a lot. The grip was good and the braking too. I liked it very much. During this season I used to watch ETCC at the TV; the races were very spectacular, with a lot of overtaking. Which is what the drivers want. I don’t know if something will come out of this test, but it was a positive experience for my career.”

Among the thirteen driver there were two well known Frenchmen and a young, promising Finn. Winner of the 2000 French Formula 3 Championship, Jonathan Cochet said: “This was my first time in a saloon, front-wheel-drive racing car, which is totally different from those I drove before. It was also a bit tricky, because the track was slippery, and it started to rain again when it was my turn. It was good that the team decided to give us three stints of five laps each. This gave me the opportunity to get confident with the car, and progress lap after lap. I was very much impressed by the car. It was fantastic that Alfa Romeo organized such a test. The level of the invited drivers was impressive, meaning that Autodelta is looking for competitive drivers who can help them to win the Championship again. And I am quite pleased that I’ve been included.”

Nicolas Minassian’s impressive CV includes experiences in the FIA F3000, the Formula CART and the Australian V8 championships: “It was very kind from Alfa Romeo giving us the privilege to test the car that won the ETCC. My impression was very positive, the 156 GTA is a fantastic car. Motorsport is, first of all, a pleasure, and today I had great pleasure in driving the Alfa. If they ask me now to sign the contract, I’m ready to do it!”

As for the 23-years old Toni Vilander, from Finland, he has emerged in the Italian Formula Renault Championship: “This morning, when I woke up and saw it was raining, I was worried. I have never driven a racing car with covered wheels before, and I was scared by the fact that everybody says that front-wheel-drive is so difficult. In the end I had a positive impression, although it’s clear that you have to drive this car for long before getting confident enough. I wish to thank Alfa Romeo for giving me this opportunity. The test proved that they are looking at the future, and at the next generation of drivers.”

A couple of the drivers Alfa Romeo invited to the test in Adria, came from the Italian and the Dutch Alfa Romeo 147 Cups. Meaning that the Italian Manufacturers is carefully following the young talents revealed by its own Trophy. Phil Bastiaans, 27-years old, finished as a runner-up to Tim Coronel in the Dutch Alfa Cup. “The 156 GTA is a great car; exactly what I expected,” he said. “The engine power is not much bigger than that of the Alfa 147 Cup, but everything is much more sophisticated: range, gearbox, suspension. The whole package is such a big improvement compared to the cars I drove before. On the wet I expected the car difficult to handle, and yet was very easy. I had a very good impression. I think that is nice that a Manufacturer like Alfa invited so many good drivers to test. I’m working very hard to see if there’s a chance to win one of the seats.”

As for Simone Iacone, he won the Under 25 trophy within the Italian Alfa 147 Cup: “It’s so difficult to me giving expression to the way I feel. I’m still very excited. It was a dream fulfilled, particularly when I think that, exactly one year ago, I hadn’t done any racing yet. Testing the ETCC Alfa 156 was something magic. Even if it was very difficult because of the slippery track. This was a fantastic prize Alfa Romeo awarded to me for winning the Under 25 trophy. I hope I will have the opportunity to repay them, giving my contribution to their future successes.”