Fresh off of his first victory in the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin series, rookie David Ostella will make his way to Montreal this weekend for the Grand Prix du Canada at the 4.36-kilometer, 14-turn Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. And while the Maple, Ontario native is happy with a win in the Series, his eyes remain fixated on the Championship.
“I’ve just been trying to stay focused on what I have to do on the track,” Ostella said. “Each race is very important, especially considering the fact that there are only 10 throughout the season.”
Experience is especially key in Montreal, as each team will only take the track for one 30-minute practice session before qualifying begins Saturday morning. Ostella will compete in two races as part of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship weekend, so track time for the Series is limited.
“I know that some of these guys were here last year so they will have more experience than I do in an actual GT3 Cup car,” Ostella said. “But in 2008 I was in the Formula BMW Series and we raced at Montreal. I ended up finishing third and it was a great experience. It is an awesome track and I love the rhythm of it.”
After transitioning quickly from open wheel to sports car racing this year, the 21-year-old said he enjoys driving the Porsche GT3 Cup car.
“The experience of going from open wheel to the Porsche and the excitement of trying something different has been amazing,” Ostella said. “It’s changed my driving style a little bit. It’s a different feeling having a roof over my head and not feeling the air hitting me, but I feel comfortable in it. I’m glad we made the transition.”
With three weeks off-track since his first-place finish at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Ostella has spent time in the gym training his body for hot weather conditions.
“I’m really not used to the heat that takes place in the car,” Ostella said. “That’s something that’s completely different from open wheel, so I’ve been trying to workout with really heavy clothes on to simulate the same kind of feeling I get in the car.”
Ostella’s training regimen will be tested beginning with Race 1 in Montreal at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 and again in Race 2 at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 9. For the latest updates follow SpeedMerchants Motorsports on Facebook and David Ostella on Facebook and Twitter at @DavidOstella.
For the most recent race updates and news regarding Ostella and Speed Merchants Motorsports, follow @OstellaCorsa on Twitter.