Del Balzo Aids Marangoni Development

UK TV viewers of BBC’s Top Gear motoring programme will be familiar with the character called “The Stig” – an anonymous driver who regularly puts cars through their paces by driving them at the limit. Italian tyre manufacturer Marangoni has its own version of the Stig who, according to the company, has the task of assisting the Marangoni research and development team in testing and analysing each product’s ‘intelligence’, on track and road. The information gained is used to ensure performance, comfort and safety are optimised for everyday drivers. The main difference is that the identity of Marangoni’s ‘Stig’ is not shrouded in mystery – he is in fact former F3 driver and European GT Champion, Cristiano del Balzo – the current Director of the Italian equivalent of the MSA, the CSAI Velocità.

Cristiano del Balzo is a key figure in the Global Motorsport community. The CSAI, of which he is the Director, is highly respected across the Globe and has assisted in developing a number of the world’s leading drivers in top-flight Motorsport. No fewer than twenty-one drivers personally coached by del Balzo have progressed to compete in Formula 1, including Jacques Villeneuve, Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli. del Balzo was appointed Director of the CSAI in 1990, and has ensured the high standard of coaching has continued through CSAI Trainers such as Enrico Bertaggia (Former F1 with Coloni and Andrea Moda) and Andrea Piccini (Former Minardi F1 test driver).

As the Chief Test driver for Marangoni Tyre, Cristiano del Balzo’s
experience and knowledge of driving in the most extreme conditions is put to the test on a daily basis. Working closely with R&D Manager, Piero Torassa, del Balzo’s input has aided Marangoni’s development of performance tyres of true premium quality. In addition to input in the development of new products, del Balzo’s responsibilities also encompass continual quality control to ensure every tyre manufactured by Marangoni maintains the highest levels of performance, comfort and safety.

In a test driving capacity, the former European GT Champion has a great depth of experience. In addition to his current role with Marangoni Tyre, del Balzo spent 21 years as a test driver for Bridgestone/Firestone. He has also supervised the development of the Ferrari BB Imsa with Scuderia Bellancauto (1984) and the Bogani Prototype with Bogani Sport (’85-’87).

Marangoni Global Sales & Marketing Director, Derek Carruthers, commented, “Cristiano’s career speaks for itself, and his input in the development of new tyre products has been invaluable. His depth of knowledge has been incredibly valuable in supporting the R&D team, developing a number of our current tread patterns, including Zeta Linea and Mythos. He is an extremely unassuming character, and also a terrific ambassador for the company, often attending new product launch events in support of the brand. Cristiano has been instrumental in the development of our premium quality new tyre products and Marangoni looks forward to further product developments with the support of Cristiano del Balzo.”