Toni Vilander re-joins AF Corse for Bahrain (Updated)

The 24 Hours of Le Mans LMGTE Pro-winning line up of Gianmaria Bruni-Giancarlo Fisichella-Toni Vilander will be semi-reunited for the 6 Hours of Bahrain, the next round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. 

Finn Toni Vilander, who has been competing in the FIA GT1 World Championship in 2012 for AF Corse, will be joining Roman Giancarlo Fisichella behind the wheel of the No.51 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia in place of Gianmaria Bruni who will be racing for a championship title in the International GT Open series at Monza the same weekend.  Vilander is the perfect substitute for Bruni and his experience in some very competitive races and hot temperatures in the ALMS (2010/11) will help him deal with the increasingly intense LMGTE Pro battle between Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche – and with the very high temperatures expected in the Gulf region.

The double FIA GT Champion (2007/8) is very much looking forward to returning to the Championship.  “I think I'll be there only for the Bahrain race,” said Vilander. “At least this is what I know for sure.  It feels good to be back in the championship and to drive the GTE car again. I don't know the race track and I'll try and study it little bit before I go, but Giancarlo knows it very well from F1 so that will be a big help.”

Fiona Miller  

Photo:  CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE, FRANCE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY 17TH JUNE 2012, RACE.  Toni Vilander will race with AF Corse in the GTE Pro No.51 entry at the 6 Hours of Bahrain.