Marco, in coppia con Ferdinando Monfardini, ha concluso infatti gara-1 al terzo posto, a meno di un secondo dalla vettura gemella di Fassler-Camathias, mentre in gara-2 si è piazzato secondo, mancando la vittoria per appena un paio di secondi.

“La vettura si è dimostrata molto competitiva in entrambe le manche e noi l’abbiamo guidata al meglio,” spiega al termine del weekend Frezza. “In gara-2, poi, siamo arrivati davvero vicinissimi alla vittoria: sono convinto che, se ci fosse stato qualche altro giro a nostra disposizione, tempi alla mano, avremmo potuto raggiungere e superare la Porsche che ha vinto.”

English version

Double podium for Frezza in Barcelona

One satisfaction after another for Marco Frezza in the 2009 season finale. After the home podium in Monza in the last race of the Italian GT Championship, the Italian driver was back in the top 3 in both the races of the Barcelona International GT Open weekend, where he raced once again with Vittoria Competizioni’s Ferrari 430 GT2.

Marco, together with Ferdinando Monfardini, finished race-1 with a third place, less than one second behind the other Ferrari of Fassler-Camathias, while in race-2 he was second, missing the win for just a couple of seconds.

“The car was very competitive in both races and we drove it very well,” Frezza explains at the end of the weekend. “In race-2, then, we went very close to the win: I’m convinced that, if there were some more laps, with our race pace we would have catched and then overtaken the winning Porsche.”

Nella giornata di oggi si è disputata la sessione di qualifica in vista di gara-1, in cui l’equipaggio Frezza-Monfardini ha rispettato le attese centrando un’ottima terza posizione, che gli permetterà di scattare dalla seconda fila. Ora, per Marco l’obiettivo è quello di concludere in bellezza la stagione 2009.

English version

Frezza on track also in Barcelona, already third

The race weekend of the International GT Open taking place on the Barcelona track, sees once again among his protagonists Marco Frezza. The Italian driver is back on track with the Vittoria Competizioni team, at the wheel of the Ferrari 430 GT2. Alongside him, his friend Ferdinando Monfardini, with whom he recreates the duo already author of great performance last year.

Today there was the qualifying session for race-1, where the Frezza-Monfardini team respected the expectations with a great third position, which will allow them to start from the second row of the grid. Now, for Marco the goal is to end well the 2009 season.

Dopo aver conquistato il quinto posto in qualifica nella giornata di sabato, Marco ha preso il volante nella prima parte di gara, guadagnando un paio di posizioni. Ceduta la vettura al suo compagno di equipaggio Luciano Linossi, il milanese ha potuto poi festeggiare il terzo gradino del podio proprio davanti ai suoi tifosi.

Più sfortunato è stato l’esito della seconda manche del pomeriggio. L’equipaggio Frezza-Linossi è risalito dalla settima posizione di partenza fino alla quarta, dove è rimasto per diversi giri, prima di essere costretto al ritiro a causa di un problema tecnico al fondo piatto.

“Salire di nuovo sul podio è sempre un grande piacere,” commenta Marco, “ancor più se questo capita sul circuito di casa. Mando in archivio il weekend con sensazioni molto positive: il team è stato, come al solito, impeccabile, con Linossi mi sono trovato molto bene e la vettura era ben equilibrata e molto piacevole da guidare.”

English version

Home podium for Frezza

Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale was again the theatre of a great performance by Marco Frezza, who brought Vittoria Competizioni’s Ferrari F430 GT2 to the overall podium in race-1 in the last weekend of the 2009 Italian GT Championship season.

After taking the fifth place in qualifying on Saturday, Marco took the wheel in the first part of the race, gaining a couple of positions. Then, his team-mate Luciano Linossi took the wheel and Frezza could enjoy a third place of the podium in front of his fans.

More unlucky was the result of the second race of the afternoon. The Frezza-Linossi team went from the seventh starting position to the fourth, where they stayed for some laps, before having to retire due to a technical problem.

“Stepping on the podium again is always a pleasure,” Marco comments, “even more on the home circuit. The weekend was very positive: the team was again great, I had a good relationship with Linossi and the car was very balanced and a pleasure to drive.”

Marco sarà di nuovo al volante della Ferrari F430 GT2 del team Vittoria Competizioni con la quale ha già disputato due gare quest’anno nell’International GT Open. Al suo fianco, Luciano “Linos” Linossi.

“Sono contento di tornare a correre in casa e di correre in equipaggio con Linossi,” ha commentato Frezza alla vigilia della gara. “Il team Vittoria Competizioni ormai lo conosco bene e mi sono sempre trovato a mio agio con loro nelle precedenti occasioni, per cui credo che ci siano tutti i presupposti per far bene.”

Ecco il programma completo dell’evento:

Venerdì 16 Ottobre
11.35 - 12.20: Prove libere 1
16.35 - 17.20: Prove libere 2

Sabato 17 Ottobre
09.20 - 09.45: Qualifiche 1
14.10 - 14.35: Qualifiche 2

Domenica 18 Ottobre
11.00: Gara 1 (Diretta TV Nuvolari SKY 218)
16.30: Gara 2 (Diretta TV Nuvolari SKY 218)

English version

Frezza ready for the home race

Marco Frezza is ready to come back on track this weekend on the circuit which loves and knows more: his home track, Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale. The driver from Milan will take part to a one-off race in the Italian GT Championship, in the last season event of the series.

Marco will be again at the wheel of the Ferrari F430 GT2 of the Vittoria Competizioni team he already drove in two races of the International GT Open this year. Alongside him, Luciano “Linos” Linossi.

“I’m happy to be back racing at home and together with Linossi,” Frezza commented. “Now I already know the Vittoria Competizioni team very well and I always found myself at ease with them in the last events, so I think there are great possibilities to do well.”

Here is the complete event programme:

Friday 16th October
11.35 - 12.20: Prove libere 1
16.35 - 17.20: Prove libere 2

Saturday 17th October
09.20 - 09.45: Qualifying 1
14.10 - 14.35: Qualifying 2

Sunday 18th October
11.00: Race 1 (Live TV Nuvolari SKY 218)
16.30: Race 2 (Live TV Nuvolari SKY 218)

Nella seconda manche della domenica, Marco è rimasto per tutto il corso del suo stint nella top ten, in lotta con Rugolo e Pilet, poi il risultato è sfumato per colpa di un incidente di gara che ha coinvolto il suo compagno di squadra Monfardini con Ricci, nel corso di un tentativo di sorpasso da parte di quest’ultimo.

“Sono molto soddisfatto dell’esito di questo weekend,” spiega Marco. “Sono stato felice di ritrovare Ferdinando e la squadra mi ha di nuovo assistito in modo impeccabile, come già avevo detto dopo la gara di Spa-Francorchamps.”

English version

Frezza fifth in Donington

Just one week after his comeback in the International GT Open in Spa-Francorchamps, Marco Frezza was again at the wheel of Vittoria Competizioni’s team Ferrari 430 GT2 this weekend in Donington. This time, alongside him was his former team-mate last year, Ferdinando Monfardini.

Already knowing the car and his team-mate, Marco could take great results, also thanks to the great job of his team, as in Belgium. In race-1 he took a fifth place, before the race direction demoted brought him backward by two positions due to a contact.

In Sunday’s second race, Marco stayed throughout his stint in the top ten, battling with Rugolo and Pilet, then a race accident between Monfardini and Ricci, during an overtaking tried by the latter, caused the retirement.

“I’m very satisfied by this weekend,” Marco explains. “I was happy to be again with Ferdinando and the team was again great, as I already said after the race in Spa-Francorchamps.”

La soddisfazione nelle sue parole del dopo-gara è evidente: “E’ stato un weekend estremamente positivo, sia per il fatto che sono tornato al volante sia per il risultato finale. Mi sono trovato davvero bene con questo team, che ha saputo mettermi a disposizione una macchina veloce e preparata con grande professionalità.”

Frezza sarà presente al via anche del prossimo appuntamento della serie che si correrà già questo weekend sul tracciato inglese di Donington, questa volta in coppia con Ferdinando Monfardini. E le sue aspettative sono già molto chiare: “A Donington punto al podio!”

English version

Frezza back in GT Open

After seven months without races, Marco Frezza came back on track this weekend in Spa-Francorchamps, where the third event of the International GT Open 2009 took place. The Italian driver was again at the wheel of the Ferrari 430 GT2 which he already drove last year, this time with the Vittoria Competizioni team.

Together with the Bulgarian Plamen Kralev, Marco brought home two eighth places overall, despite the long stop and the drive-through taken in race-2 by the race stewards.

The satisfaction in his words after the races is evident: “This was an extremely positive weekend, both for the fact I came back at the wheel and for the final result. I went along very well with this team, which could give me a fast car, prepared with great professionality.”

Frezza will be again at the start of the next event of the series, which will take place already this weekend on the English Donington track, this time together with Ferdinando Monfardini. And his expectations are very clear: “In Donington I aim for the podium!”

English version

New website for Marco Frezza

Looking forward to the start of the 2009 season, Marco Frezza’s website is renewed to prepare it for the following events. In the new version of www.frezzamarco.com, realized by 422race.com thanks to the collaboration of Alessio Giordano, you can find the latest news about the Italian driver (both in Italian and in English language), the event calendar, the contacts, a rich photogallery and soon an interesting video section.

In the following weeks Marco will confirm the details of his programmes for the next season.

Nel corso del suo primo stint, Marco ha accusato forti vibrazioni alla vettura e, su consiglio del team, ha tenuto un passo tranquillo. Poi, al rientro ai box, il team ha risolto il problema e la gara è proseguita con un passo veloce ma comunque all’insegna della consistenza e del rispetto per la meccanica, fondamentale in una gara di tale durata.

Senza i 20 giri persi ai box per le riparazioni, Frezza avrebbe potuto cogliere addirittura una quarta-quinta posizione assoluta. In classe A5, invece, impossibile ottenere più del secondo posto, alle spalle della BMW Z4 del team Al Faisal Racing capace di prestazioni analoghe a quelle della classe superiore, la A6, tanto da rimanere a lungo in lotta per la vittoria assoluta.

“Il team e i miei compagni di equipaggio sono stati tutti molto professionali e abbiamo condotto una gara impeccabile,” spiega Marco. “Iniziare la stagione con un risultato del genere fa grande morale e ci permette subito di entrare nel 2009 con il piede giusto.”

English version

Frezza second in A5 class and ninth overall

A great second place in the A5 class and ninth overall is the final result of the 24 Hours of Dubai for Marco Frezza. Great satisfaction for the Italian driver and for his Duller Motorsport 1 team-mates, Piergiuseppe Perazzini, Marco Cioci, Alberto Cerrai and Federico Della Volta.

After the start, when they were already 20th overall and second in the class, the race wasn’t trouble-free for the all-Italian team. After just five hours of the race, they were victim of a transmission shaft failure, repaired by the mechanics in just 40 minutes. Down over the 60th place overall, the # 8 team was then capable of a great comeback, which Marco took on during the crucial night phases with two stints and a total of five hours driving.

During his first stint, Marco accused strong vibrations to the car and the time adviced him to take a quiet pace. Then, in the pits, the mechanics solved the problem and the race went on with a fast but consistent pace, to avoid mechanical wear, given the long duration of the race.

Without losing 20 laps in the pits due to repairs, Frezza could have taken fourth or fifth overall. In the A5 class, instead, it was impossible to obtain more than the second place behind team Al Faisal Racing’s BMW Z4, capable of performances as fast as the higher class cars.

“The team and my team-mates were all very professional and we did a faultless race,” Marco explains. “To begin the season with such a result improves the morale and allows us to step into 2009 with the right foot.”

English version

Marco Frezza third in A5 class on the starting grid

Positive qualifications for Marco Frezza at 24 hours of Dubai. The Italian driver, with his team Duller Motorsport 1 and his # 8 BMW M3 E46 GTR car, took the third position in the A5 class (24th overall) and then improved again during the night free practice, with the second place in his class.

Marco was very satisfied about today’s results: “So far so good: I adapted myself immediately to the team, as I already raced with them, and I found myself comfortable also with my team-mates. During the night free practice I was slightly faster than Marco Cioci, due to the traffic, but we are almost on the same pace. Tomorrow we will decide who will take the start. Our realistic goals are the podium in the A5 class and the top 10 in the overall standings.”

Per il 21enne pilota milanese si tratta della seconda partenza in questa corsa, giunta alla sua quarta edizione, dopo la positiva partecipazione del 2007 in cui si mise in luce con il terzo tempo assoluto nelle prove libere notturne e una gara in cui fu a lungo quarto prima di accusare problemi di natura meccanica.

Marco si è detto molto carico in vista della sua partenza per il Dubai, che segnerà il suo primo impegno al volante del 2009, dopo aver disputato l’anno passato il campionato International GT Open, in cui ha conquistato la quinta posizione assoluta in classifica generale portando a casa quattro podi nel corso della stagione.

La gara organizzata da Creventic registra quest’anno oltre 80 vetture partecipanti, di 20 marchi diversi, con piloti provenienti da 37 nazioni. Tra i nomi illustri, l’ex-pilota di Formula 1 Johnny Herbert, i veterani del DTM Roland Asch e Kurt Thiim e il pilota di GP2 Ho-Pin Tung.

English version

Marco Frezza ready for 2009 debut in Dubai

There is less than a week to go to the first international motorsport event of the 2009 season: 24 hours of Dubai, which will be held at the Gulf circuit on the 8th, 9th and 10th January. This race will also represent the season debut for Marco Frezza, who will race with the # 8 Duller Motorsport BMW M3 E46 GTR, together with Piergiuseppe Perazzini, Marco Cioci, Alberto Cerrai and Federico Della Volta.

For the 21-years-old driver from Milan this will be the second start in this race, after the positive participation in 2007, when he obtained the third overall time during the night Free Practice and a race where he was fourth for a long time before being slowed down by mechanical problems.

Marco is on his way to Dubai, his first 2009 race, after the 2008 International GT Open championship, where he took the fifth position in the overall standings also getting four podiums during the season.

The race organized by Creventic has more than 80 cars participating, of 20 different brands, with drivers from 37 countries. Among the important names, the former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert, the DTM stars Roland Asch and Kurt Thiim and GP2 driver Ho-Pin Tung.