24h Le Mans
Giancarlo Fisichella is joining Swiss team Spirit of Race, associated with AF Corse, for the 2018/2019 Super Season of the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) which will include the 2018 and 2019 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (subject to approval by the Selection Committee). The Ferrari driver will support Thomas Flohr and Francesco Castellacci.
Two-time winner in the LMGTE Pro class in 2012 and 2014 with AF Corse, Giancarlo Fisichella will continue to represent Amato Ferrari's outfit (no relation to the founding family of the Italian marque) as Spirit of Race is an offshoot of AF Corse.
Though since 2014 the native of Rome has served as head driver with Risi Competizione in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, he did participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with AF Corse in 2014 (victory) and 2015 in the absence of the American outfit. He rejoined the latter in 2016 when it made its return to Le Mans, culminating rather successfully by squeezing between the Ford GTs to claim the second step on the LMGTE Pro podium at the finish.
Giancarlo Fisichella and Risi Competizione weren't quite as lucky in 2017. A particularly dangerous overtaking of an LMP2 prototype sent Pierre Kaffer into the safety rails in the Mulsanne Straight and forced the #82 Ferrari 488 GTE to retire.
This season, the former Formula 1 driver - set to replace Olivier Beretta (class wins record-holder at the 24 Hours) - will debut in the LMGTE Am class and will be joined by Thomas Flohr and Francesco Castellacci, 12th in the class at Le Mans in 2017.
The list of 60 invitees to the 86th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the entry list for the 2018/2019 World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) Super Season will be revealed on Friday, February 9th at 3:00 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. in the U.K.).
PHOTO: The Spirit of Race team's Ferrari at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans.
