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| Raffaele Marciello | |
|---|---|
| Name | Raffaele Marciello |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Birth date | 17 November 1994 |
| Birth place | Königstein im Taunus, Germany |
| Current series | GT World Challenge Europe |
| First year | 2018 |
| Current team | AKKA ASP |
| Car number | 88 |
| Former teams | Prema Powerteam, SMP Racing, Trident, ART Grand Prix |
| Championships | 2019 International GT Open |
Raffaele Marciello (born 17 November 1994) is an Italian professional racing driver known for his career in single-seaters and sports car racing. He progressed from European karting to international feeder series, garnered attention within the Mercedes-AMG driver program, and later established himself in GT and endurance championships such as the FIA World Endurance Championship, GT World Challenge Europe, and Bathurst 12 Hour. Marciello has competed for teams including Prema Powerteam, Trident, ART Grand Prix, SMP Racing, and AKKA ASP.
Marciello was born in Königstein im Taunus, Germany and raised in Genoa, Italy, entering competitive karting in the early 2000s. In karting he raced in events promoted by organizations such as the CIK-FIA and competed against contemporaries like Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and George Russell. He contested categories including the KF3 and KF2 championships, taking part in rounds at venues like Le Mans, Monza, Adria International Raceway, and Lonato Circuit. Success at regional and European levels drew attention from talent scouts at teams such as Prema Powerteam and academies including the Ferrari Driver Academy and Mercedes-Benz's young driver initiatives.
Transitioning to single-seaters, Marciello joined Formula BMW and later contested the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps and Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup with teams linked to Koiranen GP and Prema Powerteam. He scored podiums at circuits like Spa-Francorchamps, Hockenheimring, and Valencia Street Circuit, competing alongside drivers such as Stoffel Vandoorne, Sergio Pérez, Esteban Ocon, and Pierre Gasly. Progressing to the Formula 3 ladder, Marciello raced in the European F3 Championship with Prema Powerteam and faced rivals including Felix Rosenqvist, Sergio Canamasas, and Tom Blomqvist at tracks like Silverstone and Nürburgring.
Marciello stepped up to the GP2 Series (later rebranded as the FIA Formula 2 Championship) driving for Trident and ART Grand Prix. He took pole positions and race victories at notable circuits such as Monaco, Hungaroring, and Spa-Francorchamps, competing against drivers like Stoffel Vandoorne, Nico Hülkenberg, Esteban Gutiérrez, and Romain Grosjean. His results in GP2/F2, including sprint race wins and feature podiums, kept him on the radar of Formula One teams and factory programs, as he accumulated experience in high-downforce single-seaters and complex tyre strategies similar to those used in Formula One events.
Marciello became part of the Mercedes-Benz young driver framework and served as a test and reserve driver for Sauber and later for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. He participated in Young Driver Test sessions and conducted simulator work alongside drivers such as Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and engineers from Brackley and Brixworth facilities. Marciello was linked with occasional FP1 outings and development duties that involved collaboration with technical staff experienced from McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing programs, although a full-time Formula One race seat did not materialize.
Shifting focus to GT and endurance racing, Marciello joined the SMP Racing GT efforts and later integrated into the Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing ecosystem, driving cars prepared by teams such as AKKA ASP, Eurasia Motorsport, and Black Falcon. He won the 2019 International GT Open title and claimed podiums in the FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA SportsCar Championship, and Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race. Marciello has raced at endurance classics including the 24 Hours of Spa, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 24 Hours of Nürburgring, sharing cars with co-drivers like Daniel Juncadella, Edoardo Mortara, Lucas Auer, and Stéphane Ortelli.
Marciello's career statistics span junior single-seaters, GP2/F2, and GT championships. Highlights include race wins and poles in GP2 Series/FIA Formula 2 Championship, the 2019 International GT Open drivers' title, and multiple podiums in GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and FIA World Endurance Championship rounds. He has contested marquee events for manufacturers and customer teams such as Mercedes-AMG, contributing to team championship points at events held at Monza, Paul Ricard, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and Silverstone.
Originally born to a family of Italian heritage in Germany, Marciello maintains ties to Genoa and resides between motorsport hubs in Milan and Monza during the European season. He has been recognized by motorsport media outlets such as Autosport, Motorsport.com, Speedcafe, and Motorsport Magazine for his technical feedback and adaptability across categories. Marciello has been shortlisted for honors within programs run by FIA Institute initiatives and has worked with charitable motorsport foundations connected to figures like Stéphane Ratel and organizations such as Dare to Dream.
Category:Italian racing drivers Category:1994 births Category:Living people