Fisichella to chase glory at Adelaide

The arrival of former Formula 1 star Giancarlo Fischella at next week’s VALO Adelaide 500 will be no exhibition, with the Italian hungry for victory.

The three-time Grand Prix winner will be the star guest racing in the S5000 category, which brings open-wheel racing back to the same Adelaide streets that hosted the pinnacle of motorsport from 1985-95.

Fisichella made his debut at the maiden Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in 1996 and scored a dominant breakthrough win for Renault at the same location nine years later, setting the squad up for success in the constructors championship.

The 49-year-old has stayed racing fit since retiring from Formula 1 in 2009 for Ferrari by racing the prancing horse in a variety of GT events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Fisichella is aware of the challenge ahead adapting to a new circuit and car, but he has his eyes on the podium.

“I come over to win as always, but it is going to be very difficult,” he said.

“There are a lot of very good drivers and teams. I will try my best and it will be nice to get onto the podium for sure.”

One of the biggest tests for Fisichella will be coming to grips with a car he has hardly driven before.

The man who is one of just three drivers to win a Grand Prix for Jordan F1 was lined up to race an S5000 at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, but could only complete two sessions before COVID-19 cancelled proceedings.

Giancarlo Fisichella racing an S5000 at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix. Photo: InSyde Media

Fisichella envisages he will have to drive the car much more aggressively than an F1 car.

“I did one test and then was in the race weekend in Melbourne where we did free practice and qualifying,” he said.

“The car was good, there is a lot of power and it is nice to drive the car.

“The grip level, the mechanical and aerodynamics level and downforce is much less (than an F1 car). There is good power, but not like an F1 car.

“With an F1 car you need to be very smooth, maybe with an S5000 you can drive a little more aggressively.

“It is a funny car and you need to drive it like a go-kart, but there is a lot of power so it is a difficult car to drive.”

The other challenge for Fisichella will be coming to grips with a circuit and city he has never been to before.

His career started just four months after the final Adelaide Grand Prix, which means the Italian has been forced to study lots of onboard footage to prepare for being the driver’s seat.

Fisichella said the street track will be a test having highlighted the Senna Chicane and fast corners such as Turn 8, but this kind of desire to overcome these hurdles is what keeps him racing as he approaches his fifth decade.

“I have never been there, so it will be a bit tough to learn the circuit and car in the short time,” he said.

‘It looks a tough circuit, especially the first braking point being a very tight chicane and there are a couple of very quick corners next to the wall.

“I started my career in 1996 and then they moved the GP to Melbourne, so it was a shame I did not get to drive in Adelaide, but I will get the chance next week.

“Next January I will be 50 and I still want to race and try to be the quickest. I love it, it is my life.”

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