Maintaining the smooth operation of race cars throughout a championship is a demanding task. It involves consulting with teams during race weekends to troubleshoot issues, analyze them, and find solutions. Marco Ianniello, an engineer from Autotecnica Motori, oversees the Tatuus F4-T421 cars in the F4 CEZ series, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Ianniello works across several racing series, including Eurocup-3 and various Formula 4 championships in Italy, Spain, and Central Europe. His role is crucial – after every practice, qualification, or race, he downloads data from the cars, identifies problems, and suggests fixes. „The goal is to address any issues during practice so they don’t impact qualifying or the race,“ he explains.
Recalling the busy race at Red Bull Ring, where he handled over twenty cars alone, Ianniello shares the common issues he faces: from faulty hoses and spark plugs to problems with turbocharger and radiator damage from debris. His expertise spans everything from Abarth engines to transmissions and chassis maintenance. „These cars aren’t designed for 100% reliability, they’re made to be fast,“ he notes, emphasizing the importance of post-run checks by mechanics.
Ianniello joined Autotecnica Motori in February of this year. Previously he worked as race mechanic, so his experience gives him an edge in understanding both mechanical and engineering perspectives. „I know what a mechanic sometimes thinks of an engineer,“ he jokes, „but my dual experience helps me bridge the gap.“
Weather can also be a factor, as he recalls challenges with Tatuus T-318 cars in heavy rain, which caused electrical issues. Autotecnica Motori constantly analyzes such problems to prevent future occurrences, with solutions ready for the next race or season.
Despite the challenges, Ianniello finds satisfaction in his work. He admits that a perfect weekend would mean having nothing to fix, but then he’d be bored. „It’s a rewarding job,“ he says, clearly preferring the action. After each race, he prepares a report and gets ready for the next event. At Most, where we met him, he was always on the move—whether discussing with team members or downloading data from the cars.
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