Christina Nielsen, co-drivers Alessandro Balzan, Sam Bird, Matteo Cressoni, and Scuderia Corsa battle through extremely challenging conditions at the 2017 24 Hours of Daytona to see themselves leading by 12 seconds in the 22nd hour. Unfortunately, a mechanical failure prevented them from finishing the race at that time.
After starting from second, the drivers fought through more than half of the race featuring rain and cold atmospheric conditions. The challenges for all of the drivers were to not make a mistake that would cause any extended delays. The drivers and team worked through two minor infractions on track that meant drive through penalties. However, this group of drivers and the team worked very efficiently throughout the event to get to a position to win the race as it neared its conclusion. This time, it was not to be due to the mechanical issue.
Now Christina and Scuderia Corsa will focus on the next race for the 2017 IMSA season, the 12 Hours of Sebring. This will take place March 17 in Sebring, FL.
Christina said, “Daytona 2017, we had the car, we had the team, we had the lineup, we had the team, we had no major incidents, we had two minor penalties that we fought back from to get in position to win. Scuderia Corsa did a great job in setting up the car. It was super to drive and we all felt great in it. They also were great on the strategy and the pit stops. I was also so lucky to be surrounded by such talent with my co-drivers Alessandro, Sam, and Matteo.
To have it all come apart with two hours to go with something we could not control was just heartbreaking. We are a family that fights for this together and it was sad for us and it hurts.
The good thing is that we are going to pick each other up and move forward. We have a good history from last year at Sebring. We debuted the 488 there and won the race. We have a long wait but we will be ready.”
