Australian advanced lighting technology company VAILO is throwing its weight behind former Formula One race car driver Giancarlo Fisichella this weekend, when he takes the wheel in the S5000 Tasman Series at the VAILO Adelaide 500.

The Italian motorsport driver won three races during his Formula One career, including the 2005 Australian Grand Prix and the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Throughout his successful career, he also raced in Italian Formula Three, the short-lived International Touring Cars series and he was a Le Mans 24 Hour Class winner.

VAILO will be sponsoring the Italian champion’s car in the S5000 races, with practice taking place today and races from Friday to Sunday.

Fisichella said he was thrilled to be racing in Australia again, and to be taking part in the series on one of the country’s famed Grand Prix circuits.

“Australia has always been close to my heart when it comes to motorsport racing, and I’m looking forward to taking to Adelaide’s famous street circuit,” Fisichella said.

“I haven’t raced in Adelaide before, but I know how popular it was with my former teammates, and I know it’s going to be fast this weekend.”

Fisichella’s S5000 car is powered by 5.2-litre V8 engines which produces 560bhp and speeds of up to 300kph. It is the modern successor to the Formula 5000 category, which was popular with Australian motor racing fans in the 1970s.

VAILO founder and Chief Executive Aaron Hickmann said it is a thrill to sponsor Fisichella’s car and to have a motorsport great racing the streets of Adelaide.

“We love motorsports and VAILO is proud to support an icon of the industry,” Mr Hickmann said.

“We can’t wait to see him bring his years of driving experience to the S5000 Tasman Series, and we hope we’re backing a winner.”

About VAILO 

VAILO is an Australian advanced technology company with its core in ultra-high-powered LED lighting.

VAILO is committed to accelerating disruptive and sustainable technologies and has transitioned from importer to manufacturer, exporting Australian designed and made LED lighting product with their flagship stadium light, the Zenith Gen-V.