Andrea Bertolini's first 24 Hours of Le Mans

It may seem hard to believe, but Andrea Bertolini, World Champion of FIA ​​GT1 in 2010 with the Vitaphone Racing team, is participating for the first time the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Italian, who has the lap record on Ferrari's Formula 1 test track, is finally realizing a childhood dream thanks to AF Corse, who offered him the wheel of the Ferrari 458 Italia No 71.

Andrea Bertolini, nr71 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia (LMGTE Pro): "I think it is really important to have the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the 2012 FIA WEC calendar.  This event is like one championship in one race.  To be here is also like a dream; I have raced for a long time in many different championships, including the GT1 World Championship and the Touring Cars, but this is the first time for me to be racing at Le Mans.  Everything in Le Mans impressive and the organisation is superb, but at the same time it is so exciting, I am like a kid again.  We have everything to do, but we have a good car, we have a strong driver line up with Olivier (Beretta) and Marco (Cioci) and a great team with AF Corse.  I know it will be a tough race and really, really close but it will be the same for everyone.  I am really excited to take part in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans."

Jeff Carter and Dave Davies

Photo : LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, TUESDAY 12th JUNE 2012, AUTOGRAPHE SESSION. Andrea Bertolini will be on the grid of the 24 hours of Le Mans for the first time.