Sharing the same pit lane with the F1 teams, being supported by Ferrari fans from all over the world while driving before their Formula One driving heroes, is an experience that every Ferrari driver dreams of and looks forward to each year in Montreal. The opportunity to spend time with Ferrari F1 Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene and Ferrari drivers Sebastien Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen during the traditional Saturday evening cocktail reception as well as Ferrari VIP Hospitality complemented the Ferrari experience and atmosphere.
On track, the team enjoyed success during both rounds of the weekend. Long-time team member Martin Fuentes would bring home an overall victory in his Ferrari 488 Challenge during Saturday’s Round One, with Scuderia Corsa also earning a team victory in the Coppa Shell category. Additionally, Fuentes would be joined by Bret Curtis on the podium in Race One, with Karl Williams and Oscar Paredes-Arroyo also taking a class podium during Race Two. Meanwhile drivers Alistair Garnett, Cooper MacNeil, Chris Carel, Mark Fuller, Jim Camp, Mike Heagerty and Lisa Clark would all enjoy a performing weekend.
“The Ferrari Challenge event at Montreal is always one-of-a-kind,” stated Scuderia Corsa team owner Giacomo Mattioli. “We really enjoy the opportunity to support the Formula One weekend. For our drivers and clients to get such an unrivaled look at Ferrari’s DNA, especially during this 70th anniversary, is something that we all are proud to be a part of. Taking a victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a name synonymous with Ferrari, only made the weekend more special.
“Now our focus turns to the other crown jewel, Le Mans!” continued Mattioli. “We are honored to represent Ferrari North America at the renowned classic endurance: this will be a year unlike any other, with not only two cars but coming in as the defending champions. It’s something we’re well prepared for and it would be sensational bringing home another victory, especially during the 70th anniversary for Ferrari!”
The team is now just days away from the start of practice and qualifying for the world’s most prestigious sportscar race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2017, the Ferrari 488 GTE will compete for the first-time in class, with defending winners Bill Sweedler and Townsend Bell being joined by Cooper MacNeil in the No. 62 Ferrari, while the No. 65 Ferrari will be driven by IMSA defending champions Christina Nielsen and Alessandro Balzan, as well as Bret Curtis.
