Valle Esports team owner Massimiliano Ribolli and Russian driver Peter Vagapov will complete the Valle Esports line-up for the 2021-2022 Grand Prix United European F3 Championship, as well as the team presenting their new livery for the upcoming season. This will be the third season for the famous yellow outfit, who have been part of Grand Prix United since the first season back in 2020.
After finishing sixth in the 2021 Asian F3 Championship, the Italian team will be looking to improve on that result in the upcoming season. Team owner and driver Massimiliano Ribolli finished the 2021 season off in style, picking up a maiden win for the team in the last race of the season in Yas Marina, while also finishing eighth in the driver standings, despite missing one of the four events. However, being asked if this experience will give the team an advantage over the new teams on the grid, Ribolli stayed humble, yet positive: "I wouldn't say it's really an advantage, but it can sure help. Most of the 'new' teams are big names in the rFactor 2 scene anyways, so while they haven't raced in Grand Prix United yet, they will still have bags of experience from other series. But, knowing the general level of the league can help us in planning what to do." Being asked about the team goals for the season, Ribolli continued: "I think the team surprised a few people on the grid last season, and now we want to show our intent and confirm our potential in the series. We weren't able to finish in the top five overall in the 2021 Asian F3 series, so I think the most logical goal we can set is to get into the top five in the team standings. But of course we will try our best to achieve even more than that and to aim for a few podiums along the way. It's going to be a fun season."
The other car will be driven by the Russian Peter Vagapov, who previously drove for Valle Esports during the third round of the 2021 Asian F3 Championship at the Korea International Circuit. During this event, Vagapov managed to work his way up into the top 10 during the second race of the day, in which he managed to score four points with a seventh place in only his first event in the series.
Peter Vagapov: "I'm very proud to return as a Valle Esports driver once again, but this time as a fulltime driver in the Grand Prix United European F3 season. I'm glad to be with the Italian team, with my team manager and teammate Massimiliano Ribolli alongside me in the other car, and I will try to show my pace with the Tatuus F.3 T318. To be honest, I was already looking forward to participate last season, but a lack of free time didn't give me a full opportunity to drive in the league. However, now that I'm ready for the new challenge I'm really looking forward to start this season with such a legendary and challenging track like Imola."
Just like his teammate, Vagapov remained optimistic, yet humble, after being asked about his personal targets for the upcoming season:
"To be honest, I think that everyone here wants to win the title in the team and driver championships, but I also heard some rumors that this season will be much more competitive and that would make it very tough to get a win or a podium. That's why I really hope to finish in the top five in the team standings and top ten in the driver standings."
The team's target is clearly a top 5, and with a sixth place last season and a steady improvement during the last two seasons it is something the team should realistically target. With the larger amount of new teams and drivers entering the league, as well as a lot of transfers taking place every season, Valle Esports has opted to stick with familiarity and chemistry to help the team forward.
Peter Vagapov: "Working with Massimiliano would be the best option to have for the upcoming season. I really think that we have a good chemistry between each other. Last season he almost did a full season in Grand Prix United and gave me a lot of advice when I made my debut with the F3 car in Korea. Because I've worked with him in different leagues in the past I managed to get to know him very well and that makes me very optimistic on what we can achieve together this season."
Massimiliano Ribolli continued: "I've known Peter for more than a year now, and I've seen what he can do. He's a positive presence in our team both on and off track, and he was also part of our first 1-2 finish in a long time just this last week. Our line-up has been ready since the end of last season, really. Having him in our line-up was a no-brainer."
Make sure to follow Valle Esports on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with them throughout the 2021-2022 Grand Prix United F3 Championship.
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