Italy and motor racing go hand in hand. The country is home to several high-level circuits, among which Monza is unquestionably the most famous and historic. Italian automotive brands have impeccable sporting pedigree – Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati to name just a few – and it's also produced countless racing drivers.
Over the past few decades, many of Italy's biggest talents have forged careers in sports car competition. Indeed, if you cast an eye over the list of GT World Challenge champions, you will see the Italian flag again and again. When the series stages a three-hour race at Monza on 1 June, fans will have plenty of local favourites to support.
Ferrari has several home-grown stars among its line-up of factory drivers. The current roster is led by Alessandro Pier Guidi, a native of Piedmont who made his FIA GT debut in 2006 and has been a GT World Challenge regular since 2012. Pier Guidi has claimed three Endurance titles, as well as victory at the 2021 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, sealing the win in stunning fashion with just 10 minutes remaining.
The Prancing Horse counts three more Italians among its Pro line-up. Alessio Rovera shares the #51 AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors Ferrari with Pier Guidi and won the title alongside his fellow countryman last term. Antonio Fuoco drives the sister #50 car and has several major honours to his name, though he's still chasing the Endurance crown and victory at Spa. The youngest member of this group is 20-year-old Eliseo Donno (below), who has joined the #50 crew this year after impressing in the Silver Cup.
There are two more Ferrari factory drivers on the grid, both of whom are highly respected within the paddock. Now driving the #52 AF Corse entry, Andrea Bertolini was among the biggest stars of the GT1 era, earning CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa wins in 2006 and 2008 and the FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010. Davide Rigon has been a Ferrari man since 2012 and was part of the marque’s Pro roster until 2024. He's now leading the Rinaldi Racing squad in the Bronze Cup.
Lamborghini will be among the main challengers to Ferrari on home soil and the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand also has Italian stars among its Pro line-ups. The best known is Mirko Bortolotti, whose list of successes includes a pair of GT World Challenge titles and a record number of Endurance Cup poles. Marco Mapelli is also a multiple title winner and holds the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa lap record. Born just 10 kilometres from Monza, he currently competes with a Swiss licence.
There are more top-level Italians representing other brands. Mattia Drudi (born in Rimini, competing with a Sammarinese licence) joined Aston Martin in 2024 and made an instant impact by winning the centenary CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. Matteo Cairoli should be a serious contender for overall victory at Monza as part of the Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter squad having switched from Lamborghini during the off-season.
We must also mention Raffaele Marciello. Though born in Lugano, he raced under the Italian flag for many years before switching to Switzerland in 2022. ‘Lello’ is immensely popular at Monza; indeed, his fan club often travels to this event with homemade banners to support their hero.
Moving from the Pro ranks to the Bronze Cup class, the #8 Kessel Racing Ferrari features an all-Italian line-up of David Fumanelli, Niccolò Schirò and Nicolò Rosi (born in Milan, competing with a Swiss licence). BMW Italia Ceccato Racing lives up to its name by fielding two Italians aboard the #15 M4 GT3 EVO: Federico Malvestiti is from Monza, while Felice Jelmini was born 50 kilometres away in Gallarate.
The name Eddie Cheever may not sound especially Italian, but the Ziggo Sport Tempesta driver was born in Rome. His father – also named Eddie Cheever – is from the U.S. but was raised in the Italian capital. The younger Cheever is best known for his work in Ferrari machinery, especially with the successful Tempesta squad. This year he has a new teammate, Marco Pulcini, who also hails from Rome (competing with a Monegasque licence). The Bronze Cup also includes Gabriele Piana in the #81 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG, a respected veteran whose C.V. includes a class win at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
A further three Italians will compete in the Silver Cup, all of them representing Italian teams. Michele Beretta and Alessio Deledda will share the #60 VSR Lamborghini, while Alberto Di Folco drives the #99 Tresor Attempto Racing Audi.
The same squad will field a pair of Italian drivers in its Gold Cup entry, with Leonardo Moncini and Riccardo Cazzaniga paired aboard the #88 Audi. Edoardo Liberati drives the #611 Mercedes-AMG for newcomer Nordique Racing, while Marzio Moretti completes the Italian line-up aboard a Lamborghini from Paul Motorsport.
With multiple drivers in all four classes, there is every chance of an Italian victory at Monza. Fans attending the event can also look forward to support action from Lamborghini Super Trofeo and McLaren Trophy, as well as plenty of off-track entertainment including a Fanzone, food courts and a dedicated space for kids. The GT World Challenge race starts at 15:00 on Sunday and tickets covering the whole weekend cost just 35€. For more information, please click here.