Built for Formula 1, the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas provides a unique challenge for the drivers and cars in the IMSA Sports Car Championship. The 3.4-mile, 20-turn circuit tests all aspects of a car’s performance with a combination of high-speed and low-speed corners, long straightaways and elevation changes.
Both of Ferrari’s teams in IMSA are looking to capture Ferrari’s first IMSA victory at Circuit of The Americas, which would provide yet another highlight for Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary.
Circuit of The Americas represents a home event for Risi Competizione. Based in Houston, the team enjoys support from both Ferrari of Houston and Ferrari of Austin, as well as countless tifosi who support Ferrari throughout the year at Circuit of The Americas. Drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander had a strong start to the season, finishing on the podium at both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in the no. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE.
Despite not finishing in Long Beach, Fisichella and Vilander are well-placed in the GT-LeMans championship. After three races, they are in fifth position in the championship but only nine points behind the leaders.
Scuderia Corsa drivers Alessandro Balzan and Christina Nielsen arrive at Circuit of The Americas in second position in the GT-Daytona class. The two drivers finished in second position at the 12 Hours of Sebring and scored a late-race podium at Long Beach after Balzan executed a pass for third position in the closing minutes of the race.
Balzan and Nielsen have enjoyed success at Circuit of The Americas before, when they teamed to finish in third position in last season’s race in Austin before clinching the GT-Daytona title.
Saturday’s IMSA Sports Car Championship race from Circuit of The Americas will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday, May 6 at 7:00 PM ET on FOX Sports 1. Qualifying will be streamed on Friday, May 5 at 12:55 PM ET on IMSA.tv. Live radio coverage of the race will be available on IMSA Radio at imsa.com.
