Scuderia Playteam, which competes in the Italian GT Championship and the International GT Open has today confirmed its leading drivers for the Galatasaray SK Team participating in the Superleague Formula challenge.
Turkey’s Jason Tahinci and Italy’s Alessandro Pier Guidi, who both participated in the team’s three day test at Vallelunga in February, will drive for Galatasaray while Dutchman Robert Doornbos and Italy’s Giambattista Giannoccaro will drive for AC Milan as announced previously.
Alessandro Pier Guidi commented, "I am impatient and curious to get to grips with my new car and the new formula. I’m also very excited to see the fans’ response as they cheer for their favourite football teams in this new racing series."
Jason Tahinci added: "I am very proud to be representing my favourite soccer team Galatasaray SK in the Superleague Formula. It's a great privilege to a part of this family and working together with Playteam should be good experience because they are a team which has had success in various categories. Soccer is the biggest sporting passion in the world and combining this with motorsports is a great achievement.
The car looks great! I can't wait get my hands on it in Barcelona next week. It is also an interesting challenge because everybody including myself is a rookie in this championship and whoever wins the championship will be best rookie. I will do my best to make Galatasaray SK champion in the SLF.
The team's newly appointed sporting Director Giovanni Minardi, who started his official function as manager for the team's new 'Single Seater' department at the February test session commented, "It’s been a long road to these first official test sessions ahead of the first race on 31 August in Donington.
These next tests will bring drivers together in equal single seaters. We will do all we can to demonstrate the superior technical level our team constantly strives for. Scuderia Playteam needs to perform well.
It will not be easy because these machines are fairly difficult to handle; but, I trust our drivers will indeed do well. The qualifying format of the Superleague Formula challenge will be interesting with the super-pole format it’s a different and new idea to see all drivers take points."
Team owner Giambattista Giannoccaro added, "In his new role Giovanni Minardi will oversee the single seater development for the "Superleague Formula challenge" that was until now was missing from the activities of Playteam SaraFree. I trust his experience and knowledge on how to assess the qualities of good drivers.
I would like to thank Alessandro Pier Guidi, Jason Tahinci and Robert Doornbos who responded to our invitation and who are amongst the fastest drivers on earth. Together, we are all working hard towards the start of the Superleague season at Donington."
Q and A with Giambattista Giannoccaro Team Owner
Q: When did you first hear about the Superleague Formula?
A: About two years ago. Scuderia Playteam applied and was selected. The idea is very straight forward. I was convinced right away that the right team of people was in the right place with the proper finances to organise a perfect championship.
Q: Will it be easy to launch this Superleague Formula Challenge?
A: It is never easy for a new formula to take off and obtain the awareness of the racing world audience. However this series could grow especially given the size and notoriety of the participating football clubs. It will be very exciting.
Q: How much preparation has gone into this?
A: We worked hard and well. We clearly decided to improve the quality of our team drawing from our long racing experience. We have a skilful line up of technicians with Giancarlo Minardi as a sporting director.
It’s a very strong structure aimed at guiding and inspiring our team of drivers: Robert Doornbos, Alessandro Pier Guidi and Jason Tahinci. Everyone gets along well so it should be a good team for a set of drivers who are very fast, skilful and resourceful.
Q: How do you feel about the commitment and enthusiasm of those involved in the Championship?
A: I certainly hope that what we see now will continue. The most difficult thing is not the start up, but the follow through. We hope to sustain good international coverage to help that process.
Q: What do you expect from the first race?
A: To do very well! We will be very disappointed otherwise because of the dedication and high skill levels of all of our people involved in the effort.
Galtasaray SK joins FC Porto, AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Olympiacos, Borussia Dortmund, RSC Anderlecht, Flamengo, FC Basel, Sevilla, Rangers, Al Ain and Corinthians in the competition.
Superleague Formula’s inaugural race season will take place at the following six major circuits across Europe, from August throug November 2008:
Race 1: Donington, United Kingdom August 30/31, 2008
Race 2: Nürburgring, Germany September 20/21, 2008
Race 3: Zolder, Belgium October 4/5, 2008
Race 4: Estoril, Portugal November 1/2, 2008
Race 5: Vallelunga, Italy October 18/19, 2008
Race 6: Jerez, Spain November 22/23, 2008
- Agnes Carlier - photo Scuderia Playteam
