With a bang the new season was started for Mirko Venturi and Stefano Gai. The two Black Bull Swisse Racing drivers took the win in both Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo races at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, continuing their string of success with which they ended 2016.

After their first strike on Saturday, the Ferrari 488 GT3 crew went into the second race with the same vigor. Having held on to the lead throughout his stint, Gai came into the pits to hand over the number 46 car to Venturi. A 15-second success penalty, however, meant the reigning Italian GT champions came back out only in third place.

Bronze wasn’t enough for the pilot from Reggio Emilia. In the remainder of the 28-lap race, Venturi wrestled his way back to the top, showing no mercy to Alex Frassineti and Jaime Melo, who were forcefully put aside by Venturi on the final two laps of the race. Melo’s forced trip through the gravel at Rivazza handed Frassineti second place, while Melo dropped down to third.

Photos by Davide Stori.

 

 
 

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