Gianmarco Raimondo, Canadian formula car racer, is set for a return to racing action just three short weeks from his solid run at Imola were the rising open wheel star earned his first championship points with a fantastic top ten finish. The easy-going Ontario teenager has been living in Italy and has immersed himself in the European racing community. Working closely with the Team Lucidi engineering staff on a near daily basis, the young single seater transplant is excited to return to the Mugello track. Gmo sits in third spot in the rookie championship point standings after six rounds, just four points back from former Formula BMW Americas running mate Gabriel Chaves.
"Mugello is a very famous circuit in Italy. Holder of Moto GP races and being an official test track for the Ferrari F1 team, it will be a eventful race weekend for our series," commented Raimondo from his new home in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy. "It's a very fast and challenging track. With blind and high-speed corners, Mugello forces drivers to use their maximum abilities at all times. This will provide an interesting two races."
The team has spent a lot of time testing at Mugello and Raimondo has run several sessions on the tricky circuit in preseason development giving him a solid footing heading into the pivotal mid point of the season. Drivers will contest rounds seven and eight of the 16 round, eight weekend series. Hitting the half way mark is a major milestone for many of the drivers as the pressure begins to build toward the final round in Monza in late October.
"Judging from preseason testing, our team is very strong at Mugello. Knowing this and the results we've achieved in Imola, I have full confidence going into this weekend," continues Raimondo, now working his third straight season of single seater racing. "My goal for this weekend is to have an exceptional qualifying. Focusing on this will settle me in the right position to gain better results and place my car well in the points."
Drivers will take to the track starting on Friday for the fourth weekend being held at the Mugello Circuit, which will host rounds seven and eight on July 25th and 26th. Race fans can follow all the racing action of the Formula 3 Italia Series by visiting www.f3italia.it to view races online.
Gianmarco Raimondo completed two seasons as a Formula BMW Americas Junior Driver, winning the coveted Junior Scholarship in 2007 and taking the 2008 Formula BMW Americas Rookie Championship thus making him a double BMW scholarship winner. He also placed 3rd in the overall Championship both years in the BMW series. Gmo was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and is building a strong on track racing resume along with off track appearances and special event programs.
