Zele Racing stays in Formula and sports car racing in 2016

Although the parking lot in front of Zele Racing's workshop is covered in snow, preparations for the 2016 racing season are in full gear at the Austrian outfit. The Alpine nation's second highest ranking racing team wants to keep on running two programs next year.

"Our debut in sports car racing was a lot of fun, even though we had our teething problems. But we want to be part of the Renault Sport Trophy in 2016 again", team boss Michael Zele confirmed.

Naturally, Zele Racing also wants to defend its AutoGP titles, as they ranked top in both the driver and team standings at the end of this season.

"In 2016, the AutoGP Series will only run on Italian circuits to make it cheaper for teams and drivers to participate. However, that doesn't mean a step back, because Italy disposes of all sorts of fast and difficult tracks."

Who will be behind the wheel of Zele's cars is yet to be determined. The team is in talks with former F1 aces Christian Klien and Antonio Pizzonia, but also with a couple of talented youngsters like Colombian Andres Mendez, Swiss Christoph von Groningen, Angolan Luis Sa Silva or South African Roman de Beer.

"We also have two Gentleman Driver slots for the Renault Sport Trophy. It is certainly an absolute highlight for any amateur to share a cockpit with an ex-F1 star for a season", Zele added.

The racing calendars for both series have just been announced and Zele Racing's season climax "is definitely our home event in Spielberg in the Renault Sport Trophy next July."

AutoGP Calendar 2016

8-10 April, Misano

22-24 April, Monza

27-29 May, Imola

1-3 July, Magione

9-11 September, Vallelunga

14-16 October, Mugello

Renault Sport Trophy 2016

15-17 April, Alcaniz

13-15 May, Imola

15-17 July, Spielberg

26-28 August, Paul Ricard

23-25 September, Spa

21-23 October, Estoril