PERONI TAKING ON NEW AUSSIE CHALLENGE

Four years ago Alex Peroni was sharing a FIA Formula 3 podium with current McLaren star and fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri, but now the Tasmanian is collecting GT World Challenge Australia trophies and is eyeing Supercars.

The 2024 season marked a new beginning for Peroni, who has turned his back on Europe and  returned home, racing in Australia for the first time since karting.

The 24-year-old has been driving a Team BRM Audi this year with Mark Rosser and already has enjoyed plenty of success, tasting a breakthrough win at Queensland Raceway and a podium at the last round in Phillip Island.

Whilst this is not his first taste of GT racing, having competed in Europe after his Indy Lights campaign in 2021, it is a fresh start for Peroni, who is starting a new phase of his career.

The former Campos and Carlin Racing driver is enjoying being back where it all began and hinted it could be the start of a path to Supercars.

“I am hoping this will be a new phase of my career,” Peroni told Auto Action.

“I would like to make my way through the Australian ranks and maybe do GT or even Supercars, let’s see.

Alex Peroni behind the wheel in Phillip Island. Image: RACE PROJECT

“It is just great to be back in Australia and actually feels weird after spending my whole racing life in Europe, so to come back to where I was born is great.

“I had not actually raced a circuit here before, so each one is new for me which is really cool and strange. 

“It has been a great challenge so far and I am feeling re-energised.”

Reflecting on the move, Peroni felt the timing was right after cracks at F3, Indy Lights and GT World Challenge Europe, but knows there is still a lot to learn in the “alien” environment.

“It all fell into place,” he said.

“Racing is really expensive, especially when you are overseas so your living costs are a huge part of the budget, so it kind of made sense to come back to Australia.

“GT racing is really growing into a big, professional championship here. It is on the same level as World Challenge Europe so it is a great place.

“We are getting there. Everything is new to me so arriving at the weekend I am already kind of behind the eight ball.

“There are some big teams here so sometimes it is hard to compete with them but we are doing our best. 

“The team is hungry to prove themselves which is a big thing and we are working as hard as we can and we are getting better.”

Image: RACE PROJECT

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