By alley - Aug 7, 2017, 12:03 PM ET

Risi confirms IMSA GTLM return

Giuseppe Risi confirmed Monday that,

as RACER previously reported

, his Risi Competizione Ferrari team will return to IMSA GT Le Mans competition beginning with the next round of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Virginia International Raceway, Aug. 25-27.

"We have taken a hiatus since the 24 Hours of Le Mans but now plan to complete the season at VIR, Laguna Seca and the season finale at Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta," Risi said.

The team withdrew from the series in late June, missing four races in order to consolidate resources and to reflect on potential future racing programs following three consecutive races in which the team suffered extensive – and expensive – damage to its Ferrari 488 GTLM in accidents at Long Beach, Circuit of The Americas and Le Mans.

"I'm very glad to be returning to IMSA competition with Risi Competizione in the U.S." said Risi driver Toni Vilander. "Although both Giancarlo [Fisichella] and I have been continuing to race internationally, it's not the same as racing in the U.S. and with Giuseppe and the guys at the Risi Competizione team. It's a special team and we are glad to be back."

"Toni and I recently finished third at the 24 Hours of Spa and we enjoy our endurance racing for Ferrari, but the IMSA series has been missing the element of Ferrari in the GTLM series at the past four races. Both Toni and I are glad to be back and representing Ferrari, Risi Competizione and Giuseppe Risi."