Meet The Drivers

April 2009

As JMW Motorsport head to Barcelona for the opening round of the 2009 Le Mans Series Championship we grabbed a few quick moments with drivers Rob Bell and Gianmaria ‘Gimmi’ Bruni as they look to the season ahead.

Rob may feel he has a target on his back! As the reigning LMGT2 Champion for the last two years he heads into this season with the possibility of a title hat-trick and plenty of competitors will be looking to spoil the party. So how’s he feeling?

Rob: I’m definitely aiming for the title hat-trick and think this year will the hardest yet. The last two years have been fantastic. I know there’ll be plenty of people wanting to beat us and the series is gaining more and more recognition not just in Europe but world-wide. Everyone likes to beat the reigning Champions but at the moment it is a very positive pressure and I can’t wait to get on track!

And whilst JMW Motorsport is in name a new team, many aspects of the team are familiar with Team Principal Jim WcWhirter bringing together his twice title winning Ferrari F430 once more with Rob, Gimmi and crew members they have worked closely with over the past two seasons.

Rob: To be honest I don’t see it as a new team as from my perspective I am with such great people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last two seasons. Jim (McWhirter, Team Principal) is the real driving passion and to continue to work with him is a big boost, that commitment and drive is infectious.

Gimmi: Since the first race I did with Jim in 2007 I have felt at home with all the members of the team many of whom are at JMW Motorsport.

Rob: And those members are all race winners in their own right, we have a team not just of winning drivers but of winning engineers, technicians, mechanics working on a race winning car. We already gel as a team.

Gimmi: This is something for sure that helps make everything easier.

And one relationship that is being renewed is that with Dunlop.

Gimmi: It has been a fantastic time working with the Dunlop guys and tyres. It is very positive that we are continuing that close relationship.

Rob: We’ve worked really hard with Dunlop for a number of years and have come a long way. Pre-season testing with Dunlop was very helpful and the tyres are looking great.

And it’s clear to see that the driver pairing of Rob and Gimmi is very strong and balanced. What do they think of the other?

Rob: I have 100% trust in Gimmi. He is as quick as anyone in the world and when I hand the car over to him I just know he will give it his all and we shoulder the expectation together. It is such a strength to have a team-mate where you know you’ll never have to compensate, it’s a true team effort. Plus he doesn’t have a big ego so we get on really well!

Gimmi: Yes, Rob and I work very well together. We drive in the same way. He is consistent in his lap times and very fast. He’s a really good team player.

And who will be there main competitors in LMS 2009?

Gimmi: I think all the competitors this year are very strong.

Rob: Yes, on paper there are stronger teams and driver pairings than ever and you can’t really gauge from testing where the competition is. That means it is real added spice for the first race in Barcelona. Porsche have put in a lot of effort this year and pairings like Lietz and Lieb are going to be strong.

Both drivers have hectic race schedules this year competing in both the LMS and FIA GT Championships, not forgetting Le Mans 24 Hours. Does this mean they have to approach different series differently and compartmentalise their racing?

Rob: [laughs] No, that’s far to complicated for me, I’m just a simple racing driver, I turn up, I race! But seriously, no I just see every race as a single entity I do my best for that day.

Gimmi: I’ve always done each race in the same spirit, regardless of Championship or team I just focus on it as one race and do everything I can and more for my myself and the team in that moment.

Rob: I know some people say some races are special or different, especially the Le Mans 24 Hrs. They say they’ll take the first few hours canny etc and I don’t get that, for me it is a 24 hour sprint race. Every LMS race is a sprint race in my mind, and I know it is for Gimmi too, and we just give it our all every lap.