RICCARDO MONTI ENJOYING ‘AMAZING’ MINI CHALLENGE EXPERIENCE

Riccardo Monti insists that his early taste of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy has been an ‘amazing experience’ as the Italian rookie prepares for his third weekend in the series.

The Italian teenager joined the grid at Donington Park with EXCELR8 in a programme that will see him contest the remainder of the campaign – making him the only driver from mainland Europe to have raced in the series this season thus far.

Originally from Milan but now studying in the UK, Monti took part in two meetings in the MINI CHALLENGE Italia series last season after making the move up from karting, but the switch to the Cooper class marks the biggest step in his racing career to date.

“You can’t really compare the Italian series with the MINI CHALLENGE; they are so different,” he said. “The Italian championship is good for a complete rookie driver but the racing here is so much better and it’s so competitive – which is what I’m used to from karting back home.

“The level of competition here is insane with some very good drivers on the grid, and the tracks are fantastic, so I’m really enjoying myself. I’ve only done two weekends so far but I’d already say that the racing is some of the best I’ve ever been involved in, and I feel this is a great place for me to progress.”

Although not eligible to score championship points, Monti has managed to score five top 20 finishes so far, with a best result of 15th in the dramatic finale at Donington Park on his debut weekend.

Monti will now look to try and improve on that result in the meetings to come at Silverstone this weekend and at Brands Hatch in November, with his focus firmly on trying to return for a full season assault on the series in 2025.

“Joining the grid has been an amazing experience and competing at Donington Park was the best feeling ever,” he said. “Racing back in Italy doesn’t get a crowd like that and to see so much support for drivers racing in all of the championships and not just the BTCC was fantastic.

“It’s clear that the other drivers on the grid have more experience than me of the cars and the tracks but I don’t see that as a problem. I know I have a lot to learn but the events I’ve chosen to compete in this season has given me the chance to race at four good circuits and start learning for next year when I want to try and do a full season.

“I’m learning every time I go out on track and the team has unmatched levels of experience that is helping me to get more and more comfortable at pushing towards the limit. Finding the limit is what comes next.”