Nelson Piquet Jr. made an impressive start to Alumitec Racing’s competition weekend today at Vallelunga. Behind the wheel of the No. 48 car, the Brazilian driver quickly demonstrated his pace during practice, recording a best lap time of 1:40.458 and setting the early benchmark for the session.
On a circuit as technical and demanding as Vallelunga, this performance represents a particularly encouraging sign for the remainder of the weekend. The Italian track requires an excellent balance between top speed, braking stability and efficiency through its long, high-speed corners. Every tenth of a second must be earned through precise execution from both the driver and the technical team.
From his opening laps, Piquet Jr. appeared confident and comfortable behind the wheel. He progressively increased his pace while providing his engineers with valuable feedback regarding the car’s handling and overall balance. His 1:40.458 lap demonstrates that Alumitec Racing’s preparation before arriving at Vallelunga is already producing positive results.
However, the practice session represented only the first stage of the weekend’s program. The team’s main objectives were to understand the evolution of the track, evaluate tire degradation and identify the most effective setup ahead of qualifying and the races. In that context, Piquet Jr.’s ability to immediately deliver a competitive lap gives the team an excellent foundation on which to build.
With experience in Formula 1, Formula E, NASCAR and several major international championships, the Brazilian driver understands exactly how to construct a successful race weekend. His methodical approach and strong technical knowledge allow Alumitec Racing to analyze every detail and improve the car with each appearance on track.
Tire management could also play a decisive role at Vallelunga. The circuit’s fast sections and heavy braking zones place considerable stress on the tires, particularly during longer runs. Finding the right compromise between outright performance over a single lap and consistency throughout the race will therefore be essential.
For Alumitec Racing, this early result confirms the potential of the driver-and-car combination. Nevertheless, the team remains fully focused and recognizes that track conditions will continue to evolve while its competitors work to improve their own performance. The data collected during practice will now be carefully analyzed so that the necessary adjustments can be made before the upcoming sessions.
Nelson Piquet Jr. and the entire team will approach the remainder of the weekend with confidence, determination and a clear objective. Racing in Italy and in front of passionate Italian supporters, every lap will carry added significance.
With his best lap of 1:40.458, Nelson Piquet Jr. has delivered a clear opening statement at Vallelunga: the No. 48 Alumitec Racing car is fast, competitive and ready to fight at the front of the field.
