MacNeil, Vilander Return to Scuderia Corsa

Photo: WeatherTech Racing

Cooper MacNeil and Toni Vilander will return to Scuderia Corsa as full-season drivers in the team’s new Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo, it has been announced.

The pairing will again be joined by Jeff Westphal for the Michelin Endurance Cup races, with Alessandro Balzan making his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship comeback in next month’s season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

MacNeil and Vilander turned laps in the brand-new WeatherTech-sponsored Ferrari Thursday morning at Fiorano, in the first 2020 Evo model to come from the Italian manufacturer.

“It is a big step forward from the last generation and should be a good car for Daytona next month,” MacNeil said. “I am looking forward to 2020 teamed with Toni again. We have a good shot at the 24 this year. Our goal is to win.

“It takes teamwork between the drivers, Scuderia Corsa and Ferrari to make that happen. The Corsa guys have been working hard on their end to fine tune the team and I have a lot of confidence going into the Roar in just three weeks.”

Ferrari factory driver Vilander will return for the second consecutive season alongside MacNeil.

“It is going to be another competitive year in 2020 with some new cars coming into GTD and strong drivers and cars returning,” Vilander said. “I am looking forward to the season and strong a start at the Rolex 24 next month.”

Balzan, who was sidelined from racing due to a surgical procedure that required the use of blood thinners, made his return to the cockpit last year, having taken part in several Italian GT Championship races, as well as the GT World Challenge America season-ending round at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October.

“Daytona will be very special for me coming back and racing with Cooper and WeatherTech Racing,” Balzan said. “I am training hard and focusing on being ready for the race next month.

“I saw Toni’s photo today from Fiorano of the new car and that got me very excited. I can’t wait to drive the new WeatherTech Racing car at Daytona next month!”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John