Mattia Bucci’s GT debut proved to be more challenging than expected due to severe technical issues

Mattia Bucci’s debut was not the one he had hoped for: this is how we can summarize the first ACI Racing Weekend of the year for the Catignano ace aboard the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo of the Best Lap team. The first round of the Italian GT Sprint Championship – GT Cup class in Misano was heavily compromised by technical anomalies that prevented the Abruzzese talentand his teammate Filippo Croccolino from racking up significant mileage between Friday and Saturday, even forcing them to retire after a handful of laps in Race 1.

The few laps completed in the previous sessions were useful for the Roman team to study the problem, analyze it and solve it. This work lasted both days and paid off in Race 2, scheduled for Sunday. Starting from 28th on the grid, Bucci was able to bring the #178 Ferrari up to 12th position with an excellent comeback, especially considering the previous anomalies.

Once the car was handed over to Croccolino during the pit stop for the driver change mandated by the regulations, the Tuscan driver was then able to continue his climb up the standing, finishing ninth overall under the chequered flag, eighth in the Pro-Am 1st Division class. Reaching the points symbolizes consolation after the incredible difficulty experienced since the first Free Practice sessions.

Mattia Bucci: “It was a very difficult weekend due to technical problems, in fact we only managed to do Race 2. However, I am very happy with the result we brought home, because we finished in the points starting from the back of the grid, so I am very satisfied with the work done with my teammate Filippo Croccolino. I can’t help but thank the whole Best Lap team for their great work, especially during the nights of Friday and Saturday. I would also like to thank Filippo for having performed and closed a great stint; I am very confident for the next appointment in Imola. I thank Giovanni Minardi and Minardi Management, the Best Lap team, my family, my staff, my trainer Walter Marini and his team and all my sponsors for the support.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Mattia Bucci’s Press Office

The Abruzzese racing driver will officially return to competition making his absolute debut with the Grand Touring world

After an intensive testing program with the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo of the Best Lap team, Mattia Bucci has been officially announced as a driver for the Roman racing team to face the Italian Gran Turismo Sprint Championship of ACI Sport with the Prancing Horse car. The ace from Catignanowill be in partnership with Filippo Croccolino, a Tuscan driver with previous experiences in closed-wheel competitions; he was Mattia’s teammate back in their kart journey.

The various track outings between Vallelunga and Misano were an appetizer of the programme that Bucci will face in this sporting season. The category in which he and his partner Croccolino will compete is the GT Cup class.

This is the calendar:
– Round 1, Misano: from May 3rd to the 5th;
– Round 2, Imola: from May 30th to June 2nd
– Round 3, Mugello: from August 23rd to the 25th;
– Round 4, Monza: from October 4th to the 6th.

The young Abruzzese talent’s last race was during the Misano weekend of the “FX Pro Series” of the “Formula X Italian Series”, a round that ended with victory in Race 2.

Mattia Bucci: “I am thrilled and honored to be participating in the 2024 Italian Gran Turismo Championship. This is a competition that boasts truly significant names in motorsport. I am confident that Filippo and I can achieve great results with sacrifice and dedication. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel. I would like to thank Giovanni Minardi and Minardi Management, the Best Lap team for this incredible opportunity, my family, my staff, my trainer Walter Marini and his team, and all my sponsors for their unwavering support.”

Giovanni Minardi, Minardi Management: “I am delighted that we have reached an agreement with Best Lap to participate in the Italian Gran Turismo Sprint Championship. Finally, after two years of challenges, we have found the right formula to compete in a major championship and make the switch from open-wheel to closed-wheel racing, where I think and believe Mattia has a great chance of achieving excellent results. I hope the championship can start well right away at Misano. Mattia was very strong in testing, so there are good chances of doing well. I wish Mattia and the team the best of luck in doing well right from the start. I believe this is the right year for Mattia to really show his worth.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

The racing driver from Abruzzo will be back at the Romagna racetrack for a new test session

The learning journey of Mattia Bucci aboard the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo of the Best Lap racing team progresses with sails unfurled. The Catignano ace will return at “Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli” for a test day with his GT car.

After a first taste happened at Vallelunga, Bucci continued his learning journey at Misano earlier this month with a very positive testing day; the racetrack tarmack will see him once again hurtling with the Pracing Horse Grand Touring.

Mattia Bucci said: “Finally i’ll be back in the car, i’m very happy and ready as always. I can’t wait to jump in the Ferrari for Misano. It will be a very crucial test and i hope to achieve the results that we’re expecting. I’m working at 360 degrees for my goals. I want to thank Giovanni Minardi and all the Minardi Management, the team Best Lap, my family, my staff, Walter Marini and his team and all my sponsors for their support.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

The test, originally planned for March 28th at Mugello, was postponed to a new circuit

Mattia Bucci’s test session on the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo of the Best Lap team at Mugello was canceled due to adverse weather conditions. The debut at the Tuscan circuit has now turned into a return to the “Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli” in Misano Adriatico, a track that brings back sweet memories for the young talent from Abruzzo. As per the program, Mattia will take the Prancing Horse car belonging to the Roman team onto the track.

The Misano circuit was the venue for the final round of the “FX Pro Series” of the “Formula X Italian Series” in 2023, where the ace from Catignano shone brightly with the Tatuus F4 T-014 from SG Motors. In his most recent appearance in a single-seater, Bucci achieved a third place in Race 1 and the long-awaited victory in Race 2, his first win in his very brief career in cars.

Mattia Bucci said: “I am very sorry that the Mugello test was canceled, but this has only fueled my desire to get behind the wheel. I can’t wait to get back on track to enjoy this spectacular car, especially at a circuit like Misano where I have won and where I hold special memories. I want to thank the Best Lap team for giving me this opportunity, Giovanni Minardi and Minardi Management, my family, my staff, my trainer Walter Marini and his team and my sponsors for their support.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

The debut in GT with the Prancing Horse for the Abruzzo representative ended with smiles of satisfaction

Mattia Bucci made his track debut with the Best Lap team in a Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, a Grand Touring car, at the “Piero Taruffi” circuit in Vallelunga. The test program for the young driver from Catignano included a first contact with the GT from Maranello, useful to understand the differences between the Formula world and closed-wheel competitions.

Despite the rain making an appearance at the Lazian circuit in the early hours of the day, the asphalt gradually dried up, helping Bucci improve his feeling with the Prancing Horse car lap after lap, thanks in particular to the materials provided by the Roman team.

The experienced Driver Coach Fulvio Ferri was following and monitoring the debut of the Catignano ace.

Mattia Bucci: “I am very happy, satisfied, and even amazed by how the test day unfolded and the result achieved. It’s a dream for me to drive a Ferrari at this age. Together with Coach Fulvio Ferri, I achieved good results. I tried to adapt my driving style to this car and I think I did it in the best way. Now it’s necessary to get back on track to get more and more used to this car in order to be as competitive as possible. I thank Giovanni Minardi and all of Minardi Management, my family, the Best Lap team and Coach Fulvio Ferri, my sponsors who always support me, my staff and my athletic trainer Walter Marini and his team.”

Fulvio Ferri, Driver Coach: “Mattia is a wonderful young man, he’s focused and has the ideal character to excel in this sport as he learns in silence and puts in the effort, implementing everything that is told to him. He is very talented because, despite never having tried closed-wheel cars given his Formula backgroud, he performed very well given his young age. He listened to me and we improved lap by lap in progression, which is fundamental. He is a driver to keep an eye on.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci