By: Christina Nielsen Racing
October 28 2016
Los Angeles, California - Christina Nielsen and Alessandro Balzan will return as teammates to Scuderia Corsa to defend their GT Daytona title in the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Danish driver Nielsen, 24, made sports car racing history in 2016 with Scuderia Corsa, teaming with Balzan to become the first female competitor to win a full-season major sports car championship in North America. They also won the IMSA North American Endurance Cup in GTD.
The 2017 season starts with the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 26-29 at Daytona International Speedway.
"I am really looking forward to being back with Scuderia Corsa," Nielsen said. "It's been an absolute dream season in 2016 with them. I have every reason to believe they will be one of the favorites for taking the championship again in 2017.
"I think as a driver, after going through different championships and teams over the last couple of years, I am really looking forward to going back to Daytona this January with this group. We all know each other, and we can continue the work we have done so far and improve from there. I think it's a more calm environment - you don't have to start over and get to know everyone in the beginning of the year. We are already comfortable with each other. The routine is there. Everything is working well."
Nielsen and Balzan won the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Six Hours of the Glen and earned five additional podium finishes in 2016.
"I'm really happy that 2017 will be my fourth season with Scuderia Corsa," Balzan said. "I'm really proud to be a part of this team and to drive the No. 63 Ferrari 488 GT3 again with Christina. We will have a lot of new competitors, and this is giving me all the energy I need to come back stronger and more focused!"
Returning with his championship-winning program intact was a top priority for Scuderia Corsa team owner Giacomo Mattoli,
"After the type of season we had, you of course want to keep this winning combination of drivers and team together," Mattioli said. "With Christina and Alessandro, our team has a high level of chemistry that would be very hard to replicate. They have a good time and build each other up, but they maintain a team-first attitude and work together to solve problems when we encounter them. I am very proud of the job that Christina and Alessandro did in 2016, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish in 2017."
About Christina Nielsen
Christina Nielsen has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in global sports car racing since she began competition in North America in 2014.
Nielsen, 24, made motorsports history in 2016 by winning the GT Daytona (GTD) championship in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the most prestigious sports car series in North America. She became the first female driver to win a full-season major North American sports car championship. That title came after she finished second in the championship standings in 2015.
Denmark native Nielsen is racing for the GTD class championship in 2017 in a Ferrari 488 GT3 car fielded by Scuderia Corsa. She earned her first career victory in the WeatherTech Championship in March 2016 at the 12 Hours of Sebring, becoming the first female class winner at that legendary race in a decade. She also won the Six Hours of the Glen in July 2016.
A resident of Los Angeles, Nielsen is focused on being one of the most skilled, well rounded drivers in global motorsport by also studying for a bachelor's degree in marketing and management communication, as she aims to deliver results for her team and personal commercial partners both on and off the track.
For the latest news from Christina Nielsen, please visit christinanielsenracing.com.
For updates, like her on Facebook and follow @ChristinaRacing on Twitter.