Instructors

Ivano Barletta

Ivano Barletta is an instructor on the Motor Racing Mechanic Course. He began his career in the family workshop, where he discovered the tricks of the mechanic’s trade. After extensive experience in various workshops, he joined Ferrari as an engineer. In 2002, commitment and dedication led him to become Michael Schumacher’s F1 Team Leader. He still feels highly committed to the Italian racing team: he works at Rossocorsa as the Workshop Manager in the period cars department of Ferrari’s main dealership in Milan and its surroundings.

Experience:

• Workshop Manager at the Ferrari Rossocorsa Srl dealership in Milan
• Team Leader for Schumacher in Ferrari Spa’s racing department
• Mechanic and engineer at Motori Moderni of Novara, reporting to engineer, Carlo Chiti
• Mechanic at Montecarlo Automobili
• Mechanic at the Barletta workshop

Davide Ballarini

Davide Ballarini has been working at Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. since 2015 and is responsible for developing the electronics of motorcycles taking part in Superbike and the MOTO GP races. He also works on the track as an Electronic Track Engineer.

Experience:

• Electronic Development and Experimentation Coordinator at DUCATI S.P.A.
• Electronic Track Engineer at DUCATI S.P.A.

Luca Gatti

Luca Gatti began his career in the Brambilla workshop, where he soon acquired the necessary professional skills to join Formula 1 with Euroracing. He later started working on covered wheel cars in DTM, as well as working in open wheel championships around the world. During his time as a Motorsport mechanic, Luca Gatti learnt the necessary techniques to process composites, weld metals and overhaul all the mechanical parts of a racing car, thereby becoming an all-round expert on the international motor racing scene.

Experience:

• Mechanic at Lamborghini Bergamo, Super Trophy and ETC.
• Formula Indy Car Assembler, World Series, F3 at Dallara
• Technical Manager at DieGi Motorsport
• Mechanic at CRAM competition in Formula Renault
• Jenzer Team Leader, Formula Renault
• Workshop Manager at Alan Racing, Formula Renault
• Chief Engineer at Vergani Racing, World Series by Nissan
• Chief Engineer at Euroteam, DTM championship
• Took part in building F1, F2, F3, GT and F1 period cars at Euroracing
• Track Assistant and Engineer at Flli. Ernesto Vittorio Brambilla
• Apprentice at Officina Flli. Ernesto Vittorio Brambilla

Marco Fuga

Marco Fuga began his career in Motorsport in 2007, while he was at university. After three years in the GT championships and in conjunction with his transfer from the University of Padua to that of Brescia for the Master’s degree, he started working in single-seater races: Formula Renault, Formula 3, Formula 2 and now in Formula-E. Each time, he started out as a Performance Engineer to then make his way to becoming a Race Engineer in the various categories.

Experience:

• “Geox Dragon” Race Engineer, Formula-E
• “Geox Dragon” Performance Engineer
• “Rapax” Race Engineer, Formula 2
• “Rapax” Vehicle Dynamic Engineer
• Formula Renault Race Engineer
• Data and Race Engineer, Formula 3 Italy and Open
• Freelance Race/Performance Engineer
• Data and Race Engineer, Porsche Carrera Cup Italy and Supercup

Vito Celia

Vito Celia is an instructor on the Vasco Ferrante Mechanic Course. A long-standing car enthusiast, he started working in the family workshop. Attracted by the world of racing, he decided to enrol in the MTS school and worked in the World and European Endurance championships. After the sports stint, today Vito works for a well-known Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda dealership with great dedication, also dealing with Diagnosis and Reception matters.

Experience:

• Mechanical Analyst at the F.lli Giacomel Spa dealership
• Chief Engineer at Afcorse
• Mechanic at Ratòn Racing
• Workshop Manager at Celiauto

Roberto Paulli

Roberto Paulli is an instructor on the Motor Racing Mechanic Course. He began his career as a mechanic in the European Formula Renault Championship. After a few years, he started working at the UK edition of Formula 3. In 2002, he made his debut as a Moto GP Engineer Mechanic with the Yamaha Racing Team, where he happily stayed for three years. He was Chief Engineer for the official Ferrari AF Racing Team. After more than 20 years, he decided to leave the world of racing to offer his extensive experience as a mechanic for workshops specialised in repairing supercars.

Experience:

• Aftersales Manager at McLaren Lugano
• Chief Mechanic with the Cameron Glickenhaus-Traum Motorsport Team
• Chief Mechanic at Afcorse
• Workshop Manager at Swissteam SA
• Diagnostics Mechanic at Loris Kessel Auto
• Engineer with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team
• Chief Engineer at JD Motorsport
• Chief Engineer at RC Benetton Junior Team
• Mechanic at Tatuus
• Mechanic at Monaco Motorsport
• Mechanic at RC Motorsport

Luca Mino

Luca Mino started his Motorsport career in 2002 as a Rally Mechanic and in 2008 was runner-up with Italian Rally Team, Grifone, with the official colours used for Abarth. A few years later, he held the role of Electronic Operator and subsequently that of Machine Engineer, then became Technical Director of a top Italian team. He is now the General Manager of MTS and one of the instructors on the MTS Motor Racing Mechanic and MTS Track Engineer courses.

Experience:

• General Manager at MTS
• Controller at JAS MOTORSPORT
• Race Engineer at HMI Hyundai Italy
• Race Engineer at A-Style Racing
• Technical Director at D-Max Racing
• Race Engineer at D-Max Racing
• Mechanic at Team 47 Skoda Italy
• Mechanic at Ralliart
• Mechanic and Electronic Manager at HF Grifone
• Mechanic at HF Grifone
• Technical Manager at Equipe Sport

Vasco Ferrante Mechanic Course and Motor Racing Mechanic Course Instructor

Claudio Papaleo

He has over 35 years of experience in Motorsport, including a stint as a chassis expert and F1 team leader with Rubens Barrichello at Ferrari. He is currently a technician in the racing engine test room.

Experience:

• Test Room Technician at Geo Technology
• Team Leader for Rubence Barrichello at Ferrari
• Engineer at Alfa Romeo
• Chassis Expert at Alfa Romeo

Roberto Rettani

Roberto Rettani is the most versatile instructor at MTS, with experience in repairing road cars and restoring period cars, as well as experience as a racing mechanic both at racetracks and rallies. For a few years, he also served as a member of the National Technical Committee.

Experience:

• ACI CSAI Technical Commissioner
• Period Car Restorer
• Racing Endurance Mechanic at Glickenhaus
• WRC Racing Mechanic at Ralliart
• Series-produced Motor Mechanic in his own company

Andrea Barbieri

After attending a vocational school for mechanics, he embarked on a career as a mechanic on production cars in a dealership. After completing his military service, he started out as a driver in Formula Junior and Renault, winning the Italian championship in 1998 and 2002, respectively. At the end of his racing career, he started working in teams as a racing mechanic in both GT and Formula racing. He now has his own team fully managed by him.

Experience:

• AP Motorsport Team Manager and Owner
• Racing Mechanic at Iron Linx
• Racing Mechanic at Tatuus
• Racing Mechanic with CRAM MOTORSPORT
• Racing Mechanic, Opel Lotus Championship
• Italian Champion as a Formula Renault 1600 driver in 2000
• Italian Champion as a Formula Junior driver in 1998
• Dealership Mechanic on series-produced cars

Cristhian Pupulin

Cristhian Pupulin is a Race Engineer with solid Moto GP experience. He has worked with riders of the calibre of Dovizioso, Melandri, Hayden, Capirossi and Checa. He is currently Miller’s Race Track Engineer for Ducati Moto GP.

Experience:

• Jack Miller Track Engineer, Ducati Moto GP
• Technical Coordinator, Pramac, Ducati Moto GP
• Scott Redding and Jack Miller Track Engineer, Pramac, Ducati Moto GP
• Andrea Dovizioso Track Engineer, Ducati Moto GP
• Technical Coordinator, AB Cardion, Ducati Moto GP
• Technical Coordinator, Ducati Moto GP
• Track Engineer for Loris Capirossi, Marco Melandri, Nicky Hayden, Ducati Moto GP
• Track Engineer for Carlos Checa, Ducati Moto GP
• Technical Coordinator, D’Antin, Ducati Moto GP
• Ruben Xaus Track Engineer, Ducati SBK
• Project Engineer in the carpentry industry
• University of Udine, Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• ITI A. Malignani Udine, Degree in Aeronautical Techniques

Marco Caccianiga

Marco Caccianiga is a Track Engineer with experience in vehicle development who has worked with several motorcycle manufacturers in the Motorsport world. He also has experience of racing on the track with cars.

Experience:

• Moto 2 Race Engineer with NTS
• Moto 3 Race Engineer at KTM to support the Customer Teams on the track
• In charge of development for series-produced vehicles at KTM.
• In charge of development for series-produced vehicles at Husqvuarna
• CIV Telemetry Analyst
• SBK Telemetry Analyst
• SuperSport Telemetry Analyst
• In charge of computer-simulated vehicle development at Dallara

Simone Bechini

Simone Bechini began his Motorsport career in 1997 as a Formula 3000 Data Engineer and during his career, he also worked in DTM and Formula 2, both as a Performance Engineer and Race Engineer.

Experience:

• F3 Race Engineer, Prema
• F2 Race Engineer, Trident
• F2 Race Engineer, Lazarus
• ROAL ETCC Race Engineer
• DTM Performance Engineer
• Formula 3000 Race Engineer
• Performance Engineer, F3000 Durango

Umberto Visintini

Umberto Visintini has 20 years of experience as a Track Engineer in the design and management of racing cars. He is an expert in single-seaters, as he has worked with the best teams in this category.

Experience:

• Chief Engineer at Jenzer Motorsport
• Race Engineer at Jenzer Motorsport
• Race Engineer at BVM Racing
• Race Engineer at RC Motorsport
• Race Engineer at Kessel Racing
• Race Engineer at Cram Competition
• Race Engineer at Jenzer Motorsport
• Race Engineer at Vergani Racing
• Race Engineer at RC Motorsport
• Technical Manager at Jenzer Motorsport
• Single-seater Design and Development Engineer at Tatuus

Alessandro Baldo

Alessandro Baldo has worked as a Technical Director in several top international teams, also serving as a Track Engineer. He now also handles the restoration of period cars in his own company.

Experience:

• Owner of Vintage Cars Passion restoration of period cars
• Technical Director with Lazarus, Lamborghini, GT3 Blancpain and GT Open
• GP2 Lazarus Technical Director
• DPR GP2 Track Engineer
• Piquet Sport GP2 Technical Director
• Auto GP Track Engineer
• Formula 3000 Track Engineer
• Design and development of suspensions at Bitubo with SBK experience

Andrea Sgamma

Andrea Sgamma is a Track Engineer who began his Motorsport career by attending the Race Engineer Master’s at MTS. In his short and yet prestigious career, he has worked in GP2, WEC and Formula 1.

Experience:

• Head of Digital Mock-up at McLaren Racing LTD
• DMU Designer in HAAS’ F1 Team
• Race Engineer in FIA F4 and ELMS-LMP3 championships
• Performance Engineer at Trident
• Performance Engineer with SMP Racing in the LMP2 in the WEC
• GP2 Data Engineer with Lazarus
• MTS Race Engineer master’s alumni

Ambrogio Arzuffi

Ambrogio Arzuffi is one of the longest-serving mechanics at Yamaha Racing in Lesmo. He started out at the Paris-Dakar race as a mechanic, as well as a navigator-mechanic. He later moved to the track as a Racing Mechanic in SuperSport and Superbike racing. For several years he worked in the Engine Department at Yamaha Racing, an activity he now teaches for the MTS Motorbike Racing Mechanic Course.

Experience:

• Chief Mechanic with the TNT Racing Team
• Mechanic with the TNT Racing Team
• Mechanic at Yamaha Motor Italy
• Yamaha Motor Italy Racing Department SBK Engineer
• Paris-Dakar Engineer at Yamaha Italy
• Mechanic at the Agrati Garelli Workshop

Luigi Tondo

Luigi Tondo started as a rider competing in the CIV championship and in some Suzuky, Kawasaky and Ducati trophies; he won the Ducati trophy in 2009. In the meantime, he became a Test Driver at MV Agusta. In 2007, he opened his workshop, where he deals with suspensions, bike repairs and customisation, with customers from all over the world.

Experience:

• Suspension Technician in the SS 300 World Championships
• CIV Racing Mechanic with various teams
• Mechanic Racing with the Giesse Racing Team
• Agusta MV Tester

Fabio Mapelli

Fabio Mapelli has experience both as a Racing Mechanic and as a Technical Director for companies that built specific parts and equipment for Motorcycle Teams. He also worked for the official Yamaha Team.

Experience:

• Motorbike Parts Aftermarket Product Manager
• Isle of Man TT Team Technical Manager
• Valter Moto technician in charge of the race in terms of team assistance and technical office management for the creation of special parts and equipment commissioned by the teams
• Yamaha 600 SS Technical Manager for Yamaha Motor Italy
• Bimota SS Technician and Technical Manager

Andrea Fabretti

Andrea Fabretti is a renowned suspension technician in the paddocks of races for production-based bikes. In more than 20 years of activity, he has been the leading technician for many teams in championships for production-based bikes. Over many years spent developing and fine-tuning suspensions, set-ups, heights, geometries, adjustments to the specific features of each bike and rider, Andrea has worked particularly as an official technician at Bitubo.
However, this has not prevented him from studying and fine-tuning the materials of other brands, thereby consolidating a fully comprehensive experience on every detail of the world of bike suspensions.

Experience:

• Owner at ARP Suspension
• World Endurance Championship Suspension Technician
• SBK SS STK Suspension Technician
• CIV Suspension Technician

Danilo Spreafico

After working for 27 years in an FCA dealership as a mechanic and diagnostics expert on road cars, Danilo Spreafico decided to embark on a career as a Racing Mechanic for racing motorbikes and, subsequently, as a Suspension Technician. He specialised in off-road racing and opened his own Suspension Centre for Racing and Road Bikes, ARP Suspension.

Experience:

• Owner at ARP Suspension
• Suspension Technician for various racing motorcycle teams
• Racing Mechanic in various racing motorcycle teams

Aaron Papadato

Aaron Papadato is a series-produced motorcycle technician with decades of experience, as well as specialising in BMW vehicles. His experience began after school with a brief interlude in the four-wheel world and then he followed his passion for two-wheelers straight into the BMW world, where over time, thanks to his precise approach, he progressed to the position of Workshop Manager.

Experience:

• Workshop Manager at BMW Motorrad’s Official Dealership
• BMW Motorrad Mechanic
• Mechanic at LAM Engineering
• Mechanic in the Chrysler workshop
• Mechanic in the Volkswagen workshop

Cristian BrigandI

Cristian BrigandI¬ has 25 years of experience as a Series Mechanic and has been a Mercedes Workshop Manager for several years. He started out very young and quickly became the Workshop Manager of a Fiat Dealership. He subsequently switched to the Mercedes brand, again as a Workshop Manager.

Experience:

• After-sales Technical Consultant at Mercedes Benz
• Workshop Manager at Mercedes and Smart official dealerships
• Workshop Manager at the official Fiat dealership
• Apprentice Mechanic