Bruni ready for Porsche GT Team debut

Italy's Gianmaria Bruni, better known as "Gimmi," is ready to write a new GT history for himself in something other than a Prancing Horse. The ex-Formula 1 driver, who launched a second career in sports cars as a factory Ferrari driver in the FIA WEC and the ALMS/IMSA, has been waiting on the sidelines for his contract to run its course so he could join Porsche as its newest factory pilot.

The extended gardening leave, which expired after the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, left Bruni stewing as he waited to join the Porsche GT Team this weekend in Watkins Glen. Ready for his debut as a Porsche driver, the talented Roman will finally join fellow new-for-2017 recruit Laurens Vanthoor in the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR for the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen.

"It's a big challenge for me to switch in the middle of the season to such a strongly supported series like the IMSA SportsCar Championship with a new car," he said. "There are many things I'll have to get used to, but I'm very grateful for this chance and I'll do everything to achieve successes with Porsche as soon as possible."

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Bruni will also make his debut at Watkins Glen, and although he's tested the almost-mid-engine Porsche at Road America, it will take some time before he's fully acclimated to something other than the mid-engine Ferraris he's raced for many years.

"I'm very excited of course," he said. "Although I've never competed on the very demanding Watkins Glen racetrack, I'm very pleased that we finally get to race with Porsche. For me it was important to gather as much information as possible and to see how the car responds under different conditions – for example with worn and fresh tires, in low and high track temperatures. The insights I gained during this short time were very informative."

"My first encounter with the 911 RSR was very impressive. Even before you climb into the cockpit, you can see just how much potential the car has. However, the handling is completely different to the cars I've driven in the past. In this respect, it will take me a while to familiarize myself with the 911 RSR so that I'm really fast. But for a racing driver there's no better challenge."

Parachuting in to join the CORE Autosport-led Porsche GT Team for the rest of the season is the other significant challenge Bruni has faced.

"The reception was fantastic," he said. "When I got into the plane in the USA I didn't really know what was coming, but my expectations were exceeded. I've received a very warm welcome from everyone and I immediately felt at home. Although I've only experienced the team during the short tests at Road America, I was very impressed by the professional way the guys worked there. And my new teammate Laurens and I clicked immediately. So, this makes me all the more excited for the first race at Watkins Glen and for the rest of the season."