Risi Competizione Returns to IMSA with Setbacks at Daytona
Daytona Beach, FL – After a year as a technical partner with DragonSpeed, Risi Competizione returned to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, fielding the #62 Ferrari equipped with the new 296 GT3 Evo kit. Despite hopes for a strong showing, the team’s race at the Rolex 24 at Daytona was cut short by an early collision.
Drivers Daniel Serra, Davide Rigon, and Alessandro Pier Guidi, who previously led Risi to victory at Daytona in 2024, faced a setback when Serra collided with former teammate James Calado just two hours into the race. The damage was extensive, prompting Risi to retire the car.
“Daytona was not what we wanted,” Rigon stated. “We know the team is super-ready and experienced… but we were unlucky. We got quite a lot of damage, and to fix the car was too long.”
Even prior to the incident, Rigon expressed concerns about the team’s competitiveness, noting that their pace was limited to a potential fifth or sixth-place finish. “Honestly, we prepared well, but sometimes racing is like this,” he added, acknowledging the high standards of the championship.
With the focus now shifting to the upcoming Sebring event, Risi Competizione aims to recover points in the Michelin Endurance Cup. “We’ll really try to maximize it with the strategy tomorrow,” Rigon remarked, highlighting the importance of tactical execution in the four-hour race.
Looking ahead, Rigon affirmed the team’s goal to seize opportunities in future races, mentioning key events such as Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans. While he has commitments in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Vista AF Corse, he expressed a desire for Risi to return as a full-time competitor in future IMSA seasons.
“Honestly, I would love to do a full season in IMSA,” he said. “But at the moment, the team is focused on the Endurance Championship.”
As Risi Competizione aims for a rebound, the intricate dynamics of strategy and speed will be crucial in the coming races, particularly at Sebring, where the team hopes to build momentum following its turbulent start to the season.
