Rigon Racing for Home Glory at Imola

As an ELMS race winner, Davide Rigon is used to standing on the top step of the podium, with plenty of other accolades on his racing CV, including podium finishes in the FIA WEC, four Gulf 12 Hour titles and twice crowned Superleague Formula champion.

Racing the no51 AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3 with Charles-Henri Samani and Conrad Laursen, Rigon has taken two fifth places in Barcelona and Le Castellet and the team are currently lying in 5^th place in the LMGT3 standings om 20 points, just 11 points behind the championship leaders.

What are the positives has Davide Rigon taken from the first two races going forward to the next event in Imola?

“In Barcelona P5 was the best result we could have in that race, because it was really on the limit and the best that we could have done,” Rigon admitted. “In Paul Ricard we were super quick there. Conrad (Laursen) made a little mistake during his stint and he spun. Otherwise, I think we could’ve finished on the podium there. So, we were not so happy about the result in Paul Ricard.

“Now let's see for Imola, which, of course, is my home racetrack. It's never been so lucky for me, honestly, even if I like to drive there a lot. We hope for a decent BoP, like in Paul Ricard and we're super ready.

“We need a good drive from Charlie Samani, who is improving race by race, and of course, Conrad is showing that he is a super-fast silver, maybe the best now on the grid. So, we just need to be there, ready and calm for a good race in Imola.”

As an Italian and Ferrari factory driver Imola holds a lot of good memories for Rigon, including driving the Ferrari 296 GT3 at the 2022 Finali Mondiali alongside the Ferrari 499P, unveiling the cars to the fans on the 30^thOctober.

“As I said, I really like Imola as a track, it is really old school,” Davide Rigon said. “The grass and the wall are very close and with a very high-speed sequence. Imola is like an icon because the track is old style, even if there are the big safety upgrades for Formula One. When you drive there, you feel the story; all the drivers love to drive in Imola, up and down hill.

“My favourite point, which is typical for Imola, is that you need to take the kerb aggressively, but in the right way. So, it's not that you need to cut too much, but there is a way to cut that makes a big difference on the lap time and also for the reliability of the car.

“My favourite part is Acque Minerali, which you enter flat, downhill and then uphill, using the kerb, which is a very nice sequence, but Imola is special all around, you cannot make any mistakes. You need to pay attention to the prototypes, especially the LMP3s, that will be very tough there. When they overtake us, the speed is not so different. I think the traffic will be key in Imola.

So, what are the strengths of the Ferrari 296 at a circuit like Imola? “The car is actually very good on the kerb,” Rigon said. “We have a very reactive car on the change direction and for the speed, we need to wait the BOP to see how we are. We go to Imola quite prepared, because we know the track well, and we're ready and are fully focused to do well.”

The LMGT3 grid is full of top teams and drivers this season, with six manufacturers and 13 top driver crews. What does Davide Rigon think about the challenge he and his teammates will face in the 4 Hours of Imola?

“There is a lot of competition and it's very nice. I think the ELMS is growing year by year. The level of the Pro and the silver is like the WEC, like a lot of the main championships. So, for me, the approach is really like the World Championship. Also from the team, we're very well prepared, and now the level is super high. There are six or seven cars that can win the race, and I think we are one of them.”

The 4 Hours of Imola is Round 3 of the 2025 European Le Mans Series and will take place on the 4-6 July 2025 at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

CLICK HERE for more information on tickets for the event.