Gianni Morbidelli completes Alfa Romeo line-up

Gianni Morbidelli has become the latest experienced name to be confirmed for the World Touring Car Cup season after securing the second seat with the Romeo Ferraris team.

Morbidelli will race a Romeo Ferraris-entered Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR alongside countryman Fabrizio Giovanardi in the inaugural season for the new season – marking his first campaign in an Alfa Romeo since 2006 when he competed for N.Technology in the World Touring Car Championship.

The 50-year-old has already has chance to sample the Giulietta in testing at Monza and admitted he was delighted to have secured his place on the grid to race the car.

“I am extremely happy and honoured to be back at the top level of world’s touring car racing, and to do it at the wheel of an Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR by Romeo Ferraris, sporting the logo of such a prestigious brand,” he said. “It will be a championship of the highest level, with many great teams and drivers, and this makes the challenge even more exciting.

“I wish to thank Team Mulsanne for their trust and for giving me this great opportunity, as well as Niki International for their valuable support and for making all this possible.”

Romeo Ferraris operations manager Michela Cerruti was also pleased to confirm the deal, with the experienced pairing of Morbidelli and Giovanardi being seen as key to moving the Alfa Romeo programme forwards during the year ahead.

“We are very pleased to have Gianni joining us alongside Fabrizio Giovanardi,” she said. “Without any doubt, they form the most expert driver pair of the series, and this is exactly what we need to demonstrate our car’s potential.

“Team Mulsanne is back to racing after one year and to maximize its possibilities at such a competitive level, Romeo Ferraris has opted to ensure the services of two well-known professionals such as Marco Calovolo and Nicolò Castello, respectively in the technical and marketing areas.”