Maranello, 6 September – Daniel Zampieri had an exciting time at Hockenheim for the fifth round of the World Series Renault 3.5. The Ferrari Driver Academy youngster, came within a whisker of the podium in Race 1 and on Sunday, finished in a great second place in the final leg, behind Argentina’s Esteban Guerrieri (ISR.)

However, his impressive drive came to nothing, because he was later disqualified when it was found that his car was two kg underweight. From Germany, Daniel headed straight for Maranello to take part in a course organised by the Ferrari Driver Academy, doing three days of training and preparation for the next event on his programme, which takes place in a fortnight at Silverstone circuit. As for what happened at Hockenheim, Daniel had this to say: “I am very unhappy about what happened and the Pons team has lodged an appeal. I had stood on the podium, certain that I had driven a great race.” However, in general, the youngster reckons he is learning all the time. “I am beginning to feel a significant improvement in the way I am driving and in managing the stresses of racing,” he added. “I think that the support I get from the Ferrari Driver Academy and the work we do together, has played a very large part in this.”