Christian Merli starting in Saint-Ursanne/Switzerland

No summer break for Christian Merli. The Scuderia Vimotorsport driver is already in Switzerland for the ninth round of the European hill climb championship. On Sunday he will be racing his Nova Proto NP01, with the Cosworth engine prepared by Swiss Heini Mader, at the 80th Course de Côte de Saint-Ursanne west of Basel, close to the French border.

Interview

“We’re now tackling the ninth of the eleven rounds of the European championship in Switzerland. A very fast race, where engine power makes all the difference. We obtained victory here in 2022 setting a new track record of 1’39”201. We also took the overall win in 2023 and 2024. The track starts in the middle of the little town and there is immediately a very challenging double bend. Then it gets flatter and there are a couple of straights where you reach 250 km/h. Next a left-hand bend to be taken almost at full throttle underneath a motorway viaduct in a large natural amphitheatre crowded with spectators. Quite a demanding mixed section in the forest, and before the finish there is a tricky left-hand bend which tightens up, followed by a right-hand hairpin, a straight stretch of about 100 m, and a left-hand hairpin. Finally another right-hand hairpin before you cross the finish line. The track is 5.180 km long, and there will be three practice heats and two race heats. We now have to deliver and think of the championship, avoid any errors and collect points.”

The FIA European Hill Climb Championship programme

13 April: Col Saint-Pierre (France), 27 April: Rechbergrennen (Austria), 11 May: Rampa da Falperra (Portugal), 18 May: Subida al Fito (Spain), 1 June: Ecce Homo (Czech Republic), 8 June: Trento – Bondone (Italy), 20 July: Limanowa (Poland), 3 August: Osnabrück (Germany), 17 August: Saint-Ursanne (Switzerland), 31 August: Ilirska Bistrica (Slovenia), 21 September: Buzetski dani (Croatia).

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer