Luigi Ferrara and Bernardo Manfrè will be returning to full-time competition in 2021 after 42 Racing announced last Friday that the two Italian drivers will be returning to the Swiss-based team, with Ferrara continuing to drive in the top class while Manfre moves down to EuroNASCAR 2.
42 Racing’s core drivers of Luigi Ferrara and Bernardo Manfrè will be returning to the team in 2021 after it was announced on Friday that both Ferrara and Manfrè will continue to compete with 42 Racing for this year.
“After an intense winter we have two completely rebuilt cars ready to go racing,” said 42 Racing team principal Marco Raggi in the official announcement. “With Francesco Garisto, we have a young talent ready to fight for wins in the EuroNASCAR 2 Championship. Bernardo Manfrè will again pull double duties as a driver and owner of Shadow Racing Cars.”
“Last but not least, we are happy to announce Luigi Ferrara for the EuroNASCAR PRO Championship. His skills are a fundamental part of the team’s growth and development. We are looking forward to Valencia and are ready to start the season!”
For Ferrara, he will be continue to drive the No. 42 42 Racing Ford in the EuroNASCAR PRO as the teammate of Francesco Garisto, whom the team had previously confirmed to be returning to the No. 42 team on March.
While Ferrara has only made six starts in the series so far, Ferrara has showcased that he’s capable of fighting in the highly-competitive pack of drivers. With 3 top-10’s on his name including a top-5 finish on his debut race at Franciacorta in 2019, Ferrara will be hoping to be able to fight more regularly in the top-5 positions.
“I’m really happy to be part of 42 Racing’s 2021 NWES program again,” said Ferrara to euronascar.com. “The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is a high-level competition with a lot of established champions and drivers from around the world. It’s characterized by fairness on and off track. I hope we will have fans back on the track in 2021 as they are an essential part of EuroNASCAR’s success.”
“The first tests went good and I aim to finish inside the top-5 on a regular basis. I’m looking forward to racing again in Valencia next week!”
For Manfrè, he will continue to drive 42 Racing’s No. 17 car but unlike last year, he will be competing as the No. 17 team’s full-time EuroNASCAR 2 driver. Manfrè’s also going to bring his Shadow Racing Cars brand back to the grid this year, but Shadow would simply act as the team’s primary sponsor after it became the team’s title sponsor in 2020.
“For Shadow Racing Cars, the race in Valencia marks a fundamental step,” said Manfrè to euronascar.com. “The tests went good and I’m looking forward to going back into the competition at the famous Circuit Ricardo Tormo. I’m comfortable with the car and 2021 is a learning year for me. I really expect a steep learning curve.”
Disclaimer: Unless noted, all photos used in this article are courtesy of NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Stephane Azemard / Bart Dehaese.