Team | Ceccato Racing

A STORY OF PASSION AND SUCCESS

Ceccato Racing was founded in 2018 by Gianfranco Ceccato, a former rally driver and entrepreneur, owner of the prestigious Ceccato Motors Group. With the goal of competing at the highest levels, the team made its debut in the Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo, fielding a BMW M6 GT3 developed by BMW Motorsport’s racing division in Munich.

To build a winning organization, Gianfranco Ceccato brought in two key motorsport figures: Luigi Slongo, a pivotal name in the historic Padua-based team 4 Rombi in the 1980s, and Roberto Ravaglia, a former BMW works driver with an impressive track record, including a World Touring Car Championship title, two European titles, three Italian championships, and the German DTM title. Slongo took on the role of Team Principal, while Ravaglia became Team Manager.

The team’s early years were marked by podiums, pole positions, and victories in the Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo. With the support of BMW Italia, Ceccato Racing stood out by fielding top-tier drivers such as Alex Zanardi, Timo Glock, and Bruno Spengler, all behind the wheel of the BMW M6 GT3.

In 2021, Ceccato Racing claimed its first overall title as Giuseppe Fascicolo, Nicola Neri, and Alfred Nilsson secured the GT4 championship with one round to spare.

In 2022, with the debut of the BMW M4 GT3, the team took a step toward international competitions. A symbolic moment was Timo Glock’s participation in the DTM race at Imola, a milestone in the team’s global ambitions.

The 2023 season saw Ceccato Racing double its commitment in the Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo, entering two BMW M4 GT3 in both the Sprint and Endurance series. It was in the Sprint series that the team reached the pinnacle of success, with Jens Klingmann and Bruno Spengler clinching the overall title. In the Endurance series, Marco Cassarà, Stefano Comandini, and Alfred Nilsson delivered strong performances.

The team also made its debut in the 24H Series at the 12 Hours of Monza, securing second place in the AM category thanks to Brazilian drivers Atila Abreu, William Freire, and Léo Sanchez. Additionally, Ceccato Racing returned to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup, where Marco Cassarà, Stefano Comandini, and Francesco Guerra claimed second place in the Bronze Cup.

Fueled by these achievements, the team confirmed its commitment to both the Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Sprint and Endurance in 2024. It was in the Sprint series where Ceccato Racing truly excelled: Jens Klingmann secured the overall title for the second consecutive year, supported by four victories, three pole positions, and two additional podium finishes. Pedro Ebrahim and Federico Malvestiti won the PRO-AM title, claiming four class victories, three class podiums, and one overall podium. In the Endurance series, Stefano Comandini, Phillippe Denes, and Francesco Guerra delivered strong performances, finishing third overall in the championship.

In 2024, Ceccato Racing also returned to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup, fielding Marco Cassarà, Phillippe Denes, and Felice Jelmini, marking yet another step forward in solidifying its international presence.

In 2025, Ceccato Racing continued to play a leading role in the Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo scene, finishing as Italian vice-champion with BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann. The team also competed in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup in the Bronze category, fielding Felice Jelmini, Federico Malvestiti, and Marcelo Tomasoni. For the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, the line-up was further strengthened by the addition of BMW M works driver Connor De Phillippi, confirming Ceccato Racing’s ongoing commitment to competing on the international stage.