MPR reveal Season 9 challenger - [
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Martini Paddock Racing has officially unveiled the car which they hope will take the Manchester-based outfit to its first Teams’ Championship in the GPGSL.The team launched its Season 9 challenger, the MPR-08, at a glitzy venue in Turin, Italy at the home of long term partner the Martini & Rossi distillery.
The MPR-08, which will once again be powered by Lancia, with tyres supplied by Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli, will be the eighth car run in association with Martini, who celebrate their fifth year in the GPGSL.
MPR, who slipped to fourth in the Teams’ Championship last season, have signed the defending GPGSL champion Ed Greenhalgh to spear-head their attack on both titles in Season 9 to partner long-time driver Charrel Jalving, who enters his fourth season with the team.
"It is with great excitement that I stand here at the launch of the new MPR,” said Greenhalgh. “This season is a massive challenge for me to try and continue the same high standards at a new team.
“So far, the signs are great. Dan and the guys are extremely hard working and it's been interesting to see a different approach to the series. I am just looking forward to getting started!"
Jalving, who joined the team in Season 6, having started his career in the team’s testing programme in Season 2, while excited to be joined at MPR by Greenhalgh, will be aiming to battle his new team-mate for the drivers’ title, having finished a career best of fourth overall in Season 8.
“A great winter season (Captain Morgan, Pizza and watching sports) prepared me for the most exiting season so far.
“This season MPR has only one goal, winning the title, and to do this we brought in the Michael Schumacher of the GPGSL, Mr Ed Greenhalgh.
“I look very much forward working with the three times GPGSL champion,” added the Dutchman. “I hope he does not get four titles like Vettel, because my goal is to win from my teammate. I am sure there is a lot to learn from him, so we will see.
“I will announce some personal news soon, and yes, it has something to do with pizza.”
MPR Team Principal, and owner Dan Paddock, who has led the team since its inception in the GPGSL shared his delight at his team’s Season 9 driver line-up, explaining that he believes the team has a real chance of taking both titles this year.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Ed and Gianliugi to the team alongside Charrel and Monil,”said Paddock. “For sure this is the first time in a number of seasons that we have the capacity to go out there and challenge for the title.
“With Ed and Charrel we should be secured a heap of points for the team, while both have the ability to fight for the drivers’ title. I just hope they can keep it clean on the racetrack and maintain the excellent start that they have made to their partnership during the off-season.
“In the Testers’ Championship we have Monil and Gigi, who both have the chance of securing that title if they put a complete season together. Monil would have been in the fight in Season 8 himself if it had not been for his short spell substituting at MAC, while Gigi is looking to get his career back on track after two difficult seasons.”
Monil Santilal, who re-joined the GPGSL last year after an absence of three seasons, will continue in his testing role with MPR for a second season, with the Portuguese adamant that anything other than the Testers’ title would be a disappointment.
"Another season is upon us again,” said the Season 1 runner-up. “After a successful comeback last season, I'm excited for what is in store for this year.
“We've been lucky to be joined by Ed as a world champion in helping team and I to greater heights.
“I've got my eye set on that elusive championship in the Testers for this year and to improve on MPR's position in the constructors after we narrowly missed out on that 3rd place."
Gianluigi Silvestre will fill the second test seat at the Manchester-based squad, having joined from MAC Racing, a move which the Italian believes will allow him to rebuild his reputation, in the hope that he can one day make a return to racing in the GPGSL.
"I'm very happy to join a top team, even more because testing for them for some time will hopefully help me improving some of my weak points, qualifying above all.
Silvestre, who finished ninth in the Drivers’ Championship in Season 6 for ScalaGP added: “Maybe one day I will get another opportunity to show my skills in WDC and, whether it will be with MPR or not, spending some time testing will surely pay off."
Images courtesy of Matteo Scala, painting courtesy of Maikel de Boer and Matteo Scala, original design courtesy of Monil Santilal
Races: 163 - Wins: 23 - Pole Positions: 24 - Fastest Laps: 22
Season 9: Constructors' Champions