Eliseo Donno and Thomas Fleming: write down these two names because it is very probable (absolute certainty exists for very few things, in the world and in life) that from here on out they will be a couple who will be able to entertain covered wheel enthusiasts.
At Brands Hatch, where the first GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup event of the season took place, the two ‘terrible kids’ from AF Corse made their debut in the SRO Motorsports Group series at the wheel of their Ferrari.
40 years in the making for a team that brings together the duelists of the Ferrari Challenge 2023, with the 19-year-old from Puglia taking the European title of the Trofeo Pirelli by beating the 21-year-old Briton, capable of making up for it by becoming Champion in the World Finals, as we told you live from Mugello in last November, meeting them after their respective goals achieved.
The leap to the 296 GT3 was not something to be taken for granted, yet neither of them suffered the comparison with the great experts of the GTWC, among other things on a track like the English one which is decidedly ‘old school’ and with sections where several are also needed… . attributes.
Of course, some small errors could not be missed, see Fleming’s spin in practice risking a big hit against the barriers, and lap times that could improve along the way; yet Donno’s good placing in Q2 just under half a second from the Pole of an expert like Lucas Auer underlined what was said above regarding the premises.
#71 AF Corse, Ferrari 296 GT3: Eliseo Donno, Thomas Fleming
Photo by: SRO
And if Race 1 achieved ninth place overall with a podium in the Silver Cup Class, the masterpiece of Race 2, 11th place under the checkered flag, gave the drivers of the 296 GT3 #71 their first triumph in the category, confirming that the potential is all there and from here on out we will need to keep a close eye on them.
“It was an incredible weekend, even difficult because there was an ABS problem, but we won Race 2, so now let’s concentrate on Misano and see how it will go”, said an emotional Donno at the end of the race, the fastest of the two over the weekend.
Even more revved up was Fleming, who admitted it candidly: “I have to be honest, I was very nervous even before the race, while I was walking on the grid, and then when I got into the car.”
“Obviously, as soon as I found out about the ABS problem, the situation didn’t improve because I had no idea what I would find when it was my turn to drive, given that I only had a couple of days of experience behind me with this car.”
“Being here to celebrate the victory is truly fantastic, the team is very happy; in a weekend where there were so many things to learn, being able to achieve success in the Silver Cup is extraordinary.”
In short, there will still be fun to be had at the next event in Misano (16-18 May) so keep an eye out for the Red #71 of AF Corse.
#71 AF Corse, Ferrari 296 GT3: Eliseo Donno, Thomas Fleming
Photo by: SRO
The Emil Frey Racing drivers get their first satisfaction
Other couples who brought smiles to the Maranello brand were those from Emil Frey Racing, involved with the 296 GT3s in the PRO Class.
Ben Green and Konsta Lappalainen achieved second place overall in Race 1 after the Pole signed by the Briton, beaten only by the great Team WRT who at the pit stop were quick to send the BMW #32 of Weerts/Vanthoor back onto the track ahead of the Ferrari blue and white #14, which then finished fifth in Race 2.
Giacomo Altoè and Thierry Vermeulen were also able to have fun with the #69, losing precious points due to a penalty in the first race, but making a great comeback in the second with the second place taken by comeback, thanks to an excellent pace from from Veneto who confirms himself as one of the group’s competitors capable of fighting for the positions that count.
#69 Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3: Giacomo Altoè, Thierry Vermeulen
Photo by: SRO
“I’m really happy, starting the season with a podium is an excellent result and the team has worked very well”, underlines Altoè speaking to Motorsport.com, later regretting the contact at the start of the first race on Sunday which gave him 5 ” of sanction.
“It’s a shame about the useful points lost in Race 1, but when you start in the middle of traffic these things can happen. Furthermore, we knew that our car, having very sophisticated aerodynamics, would have suffered behind others, so we weren’t able to do more. to do, despite being satisfied with my stint.”
In Race 2 things went much better and Vermeulen’s third place on the grid then became second after the pit stops, managing to overtake Boutsen VDS’s Mercedes.
“By starting third in Race 2 we managed to stay in the leading group, so a really excellent result and it’s nice to start 2024 in this way. The next race is our home one, at Misano, so we’re aiming to do well there too” .
#GTWC #DonnoFleming #terrible #kids #triumphing
