The team of the three partners, Nico Biasuzzi, Ermanno Feltrin and Moreno Fortuni, had the pleasure to host for two days the face of the all-female covered wheels, Manuel Gostner for a two-day of testing in preparation for the GT season. The driver of the Iron Dames team carried out progressive sessions, increasing his feeling with the CRG... under the eyes of his friend, official driver and driver coach for the occasion, Natalia Balbo.
The understanding between the two female faces of motorsport has livened up the week of the italian team, which has launched many interesting ideas for the two protagonists.
Manuela Gostner will take part in her umpteenth GT season, this time a double one, as mentioned, with the Iron Dames colours and the contribution of the Iron Lynx Racing Team. Manuela will be driving the Ferrari 488 GTE in the WEC World Championship and the Ferrari 488 GT3 for the European Michelin Le Mans Cup. Natalia Balbo, on the other hand, is ready for the umpteenth season with the NGM Motorsport colours in the FIA Karting calendar and not only. With the new CRG materials, Natalia will work to follow up the recent seasons of exponential growth in the international scene.
Here is the double interview.
The understanding between the two female faces of motorsport has livened up the week of the italian team, which has launched many interesting ideas for the two protagonists.
Manuela Gostner will take part in her umpteenth GT season, this time a double one, as mentioned, with the Iron Dames colours and the contribution of the Iron Lynx Racing Team. Manuela will be driving the Ferrari 488 GTE in the WEC World Championship and the Ferrari 488 GT3 for the European Michelin Le Mans Cup. Natalia Balbo, on the other hand, is ready for the umpteenth season with the NGM Motorsport colours in the FIA Karting calendar and not only. With the new CRG materials, Natalia will work to follow up the recent seasons of exponential growth in the international scene.
Here is the double interview.
CONTINUE
Manuela Gostner
- How was your first approach with NGM in Lonato?
"I already knew the NGM team, with whom I had the chance to train in the past. Last week I couldn't but appreciate the improvement in the technical and coaching approach for a driver like me, who uses karting as training and fun".
- How was your first approach with NGM in Lonato?
"I already knew the NGM team, with whom I had the chance to train in the past. Last week I couldn't but appreciate the improvement in the technical and coaching approach for a driver like me, who uses karting as training and fun".
- What impressed you most about karting on the track and what kind of work did you do in the sessions?
"Karting is a fantastic way to train both your body, mental approach and driving technique. It is precisely these aspects that are the most surprising. Such intense muscular effort puts the body and mind to the test. The sum of these characteristics make karting the closest training to motor racing. In the planned driving sessions we worked on the approach and the quick achievement of the best possible performance".
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- Tell us about your 2021 with Ironlynx programmes and where we will see you racing.
"This season is going to be very full for me, I will be participating in two championships: the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the Ferrari 488 GTE and the European Series "Michelin Le Mans Cup" with the different Ferrari 488 GT3."
- What similarities are there between a Ferrari and a kart like the one you drove?
"Technically, the trajectories and basic driving concepts are the same. Even the glance and the use of the eye are similar".
- As far as women's motorsport is concerned, do you feel well represented? Where can the women's movement go at this rate?
"I think that today is a great moment for women's motorsport, thanks also to people like Deborah Mayer, Michele Mouton and Cathy Mueller, who have worked so hard with "FIA -Woman in Motorsport" to bring more and more women into this world and allow them to take part in major championships with the same technical means as men".
Natalia Balbo
- We know about your commitment to the young drivers in the 60 Mini but we have also seen you in the role of coach. How do you find yourself in this particular role?
"Well, let's say that I already have this role with our children, even if not directly, as I'm basically a mechanic and since this year I've been trying to understand telemetry as well - she laughs -, but I'd say I like doing it. So far I've managed to have a good relationship with the drivers. Being one of them myself, I know what it's like to be sitting there on the kart and all the dynamics that can go on in our heads during a race, a test, etc., and this is a big advantage".
- When did you meet Manuela for the first time and how did your chemistry start on the track?
"I admit I don't remember, it was maybe five or six years ago. She, her sister, brother and father had done a few days of testing with NGM and I had been called in to help out and to have a discussion with their coach, Giorgio Sernagiotto. From there I admit that it was easy, we immediately had a good connection and common thoughts about the world of motorsport. We saw each other on the track in Jesolo after the lockdown and from there we started to talk to each other quite frequently, until today".
- As far as women's motorsport is concerned, do you feel well represented year after year? Where can the women's movement go at this rate (karting and beyond)?
"Fia Women is doing a great job to give more and more visibility to the pink quotas, and I think that also the presence of these totally female crews like the Iron Dames or Richard Mille give a great impact to the cause. Then there are solo voices in all the championships around the world from karting to formula to GT, so I would say we are expanding more and more. In the future I hope we won't need these campaigns to give equal opportunities to women in motorsport! It will be long but I would say that we have made progress and this is a success".
S.C.
Photo: Sportinphoto
