Mugello (IT), 16th October 2016. The emotions were overwhelming when
Alessandro Zanardi (IT) crossed the finish line in Mugello (IT) as the
winner. On his debut weekend in the new BMW M6 GT3, the BMW works
driver and BMW brand ambassador was victorious in the final race of
the 2016 Italian GT Championship. After finishing Saturday’s race in
sixth position, he raced onto the top step of the podium in Sunday’s
encounter, celebrated by the fans and all the teams in the paddock.
After a break of over a year and after winning two gold and one
silver medal in the para-cycling competitions on Rio de Janeiro (BR),
Mugello marked the comeback in the racing cockpit for Zanardi. His BMW
M6 GT3 in the Italian GT Championship season finale was entered by BMW
Team Italia and ROAL Motorsport, and was specially modified by BMW Motorsport.
Zanardi had qualified third on the grid for Sunday’s race, but was
promoted to second place after a competitor’s car was damaged in an
accident on Saturday and could not take part in the second race. The
Italian was third after the opening lap, but when the pit stop window
opened he took the lead. And when he returned to the track after his
mandatory pit stop he was still leading the field. Zanardi opened up a
gap of several seconds and raced to his first ever win in the BMW M6 GT3.
“There are no words to describe what I feel. Today I saw the sun
setting and it never looked that beautiful. What a year, not only what
a day. Once more I enjoyed beautiful moments in Rio de Janeiro, and
now just jumping into this beautiful car was amazing,” Zanardi
enthused. “But to win the race is something else. I did not have the
start I wanted, but I had a great car underneath me. So I knew it was
just a question of putting in some good laps as soon as the guys in
front of me pitted, and that is what I did. So when I came back on the
circuit I found myself with a very comfortable lead, and I had the
speed to stay away from the guys behind me and finish with the
victory. It is unbelievable. I want to thank all the guys in Munich,
who did an amazing effort in getting this beautiful BMW M6 GT3 ready
for me with everything I needed, thanks to BMW Italia and to ROAL
Motorsport for setting the car up and making it ready for me in a
magnificent way. And I also want to send my congratulations to the BMW
family in Hockenheim, and especially to Marco Wittmann for winning the
DTM title. He is an amazing and super fast young driver. He and the
whole BMW DTM team with all the drivers can be proud of what they did
this season.”
Zanardi’s participation in the Italian GT Championship finale was a
triple anniversary celebration: next weekend, on 23rd October, the BMW
works driver will celebrate his 50th birthday. In addition, BMW Italy
is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and the 100th birthday
of the BMW Group. The car featured a special livery, honouring these
anniversaries, as well as the gold and silver medals Zanardi won in
Rio de Janeiro in September.