As we prepare for the upcoming round in Detroit, we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Serra, the newest addition to our GTD Pro class driver lineup.
The Brazilian Ferrari Factory driver boasts a highly impressive racing resume, as a three-time Stock Car Champion, two-time 24h of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans winner, and he is the most recent Rolex 24 at Daytona champion.
He comes into the Conquest Racing team with a great deal of experience, having competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship since 2014 as a part of the Ferrari platform.
Now, let’s get to know him better with the following questions!
What are you most looking forward to about racing in the streets of Detroit?
“Racing in Detroit will be an exciting challenge. I’m really looking forward to working with the team, especially as it will be my first time at this track. I’ve known Eric Bachelart and a lot of the crew for quite some time, but we have never had the opportunity to work together until now. I think we have all the tools we need to have a good weekend and get a strong result.”
Can you tell us more about your experience with the Ferrari 296 GT3?
“The Ferrari 296 GT3 is a great car. I have completed a lot of mileage with it between both racing and testing. I’ve done one race on a street circuit with the 296 and the car performed very well, so I’m optimistic that we’ll be strong in Detroit too.”
What excites you the most about this GTD Pro opportunity?
“It’s always nice racing in GTD Pro, the field is very strong and there is a great deal of talent on the grid, and it’s always nice to be going up against such strong competitors.”
Which accomplishment stands out as a highlight in your career?
“My most recent highlight would be the win in the 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona. It’s one of my favorite races to compete in, and when I started my career in endurance racing, the Rolex 24 was the first ever twenty-four hour race I did, so it was amazing to finally take home the win this year.”
How do you mentally prepare for a race?
“I don’t have a specific plan that I follow in terms of mental training. The mental preparation comes from knowing that I did everything I could in order to be ready for the weekend, and that I have done all the necessary physical training.”
Can you walk us through your race day routine?
“On race day, I like to revisit our strategy and what we plan on executing in the race. From there, I prefer solitude. I like to stay on my own and be in a quiet space in order to get away from the noise and distractions in order to be able to concentrate and get in my zone.”
Can you tell us more about yourself? Where are you from, what are your hobbies outside of racing, and what does your family life look like?
“I’m from Brazil. As for hobbies, I enjoy running and use it a lot in my training for racing, but also because I like it a lot. I’m 40 years old, and I have two boys – the oldest is 12 years old and the youngest is 8 years old. They like motorsports too, they usually attend my races when I’m back competing in Brazil, but they’re still a bit too young to join me for international events. They like racing, but they are crazy about soccer!”