British fans at Brands Hatch have a new home hero to cheer on in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series contests this weekend.
Don’t be fooled by his Italian sounding name, for Harrow on the Hill’s Max Marzorati is a Brit through and through, and one desperate for big results as he aims to carve a name for himself in new surroundings.
Until now, Marzorati has largely been a single-seater warrior, having competed at the legendary Formula Ford Festival right here on the Indy Circuit, before stints in British F3 and GB4, where he was a multiple podium finisher and finished third overall in 2022.
But now the 23-year-old is aiming to go big in NASCAR, and this weekend’s event marks just his second go in a V8-powered monster, having made his debut last time out at Vallelunga.
“I’m ecstatic to be here” he says. “This is just my second time racing in the car after doing the Vallelunga rounds, basically as a test event to learn the car, tyres and everything else that’s new. My new team, Double V, have been fantastic at helping me, as there’s been so much to take in.”
His first event netted 19th and then 16th place finishes in the Italian double header, a commendable performance against a big 26-car field.
“It went well, it was a big learning curve for myself. I hadn’t run new tyres before qualifying, but the team were fantastic in terms of making me feel comfortable. They’re so positive, lots of encouraging reinforcement and really good at bringing me on and we were taking chunks and chunks of time.”
Max is one of the few Brits on the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series grid, and is hoping that racing at his local track, in front of thousands of home fans and with significant track knowledge will be key ingredients that propel him even further up the order this weekend.
“I can’t wait to get out at Brands, a circuit that I love and at such an amazing big event. It’s extremely exciting and being one of the only British drivers is not something I’ve experienced before. I’ve competed at GB3 and GB4 level before and there’s always quite a few Brits on the grid, so it’s quite interesting to be in the minority instead this weekend. To be in a series as big as this, with the amount of cars and with a big British crowd and one of the few drivers flying the flag, it’s very exciting and I hope I can deliver something for the home fans.”
He has a record of success at the venue too, winning a Renault UK Clio Cup Junior Series race back in 2017 on the Indy circuit.
“The first ever race I won in a tin top was at Brands Hatch, and it’s all been a bit downhill for me there since! When I did GB4, I was quickest in one of the sessions on the Indy circuit, back then we tested on the Indy and raced on the GP layout, and on the Indy I was fantastic! So it bodes well.
“I’ve also raced on the circuit at the Formula Ford Festival and qualified on the front row next to Joey Foster, so it’s a circuit I know well and one that I adore. So having won my first race in tin tops there, I hope I can do something similar in my first race at the circuit in a NASCAR.
“Realistically though, I think a top-10 would be a mega result, if I could get into superpole that would be above expectations, but would give me a chance of being in the top-10 for the race. I really want to push myself to at least be qualifying in the top eight and fighting in that top five and trying to go for a podium, just because I know Brands Hatch so well. But I do have to bear in mind that it’s a new series, new car and against guys who have been doing it for years.
“There’s some very, very competitive people in it, some Formula Ford Festival winners too, so they’ll be tough to beat, and [Vittorio] Ghirelli has a massive track record of success. It’s not going to be easy, so I’m keeping my expectations realistic. Let’s look at the top-10, but I want more. I’d love to be on the podium for the home fans.”
A big Gilles Villeneuve fan, Marzorati drives the 27 car this weekend, and for an Italian team to boot. But as he explains, it’s all a lucky coincidence.
“For me it’s like a dream come true! I actually ran the number 27 a few times when I was in karting because Gilles is my hero, so it’s cool, and it’s not like I picked the number either! It’s the number the team runs, so to have it feels like an honour for me.”
Unlike so many racing stars, who have benefited from huge financial backing to move them up the ladder, Marzorati has had to graft for his place on the grid, even working as a door to door salesman at one point to bring in the necessary cash to keep racing.
“For the last couple of years when I was in single-seaters, the championships were mega and I had a lot of support but I was working three jobs to keep my place on the grid to help bring in money. I had sponsors, but not enough, so I’ve had to keep working to say racing. It’s always been like that for me, so to have made it to this level now I’m hoping we can get more people on board to keep going. I’ve got sponsors on board for this weekend; Next Gen Facades Ltd, Black Fox Advisory and Adrian Flux, without them it wouldn’t be possible.”
For so many youngsters, F1 is the dream. That path may now be closed for Max, but he’s hoping strong performances this weekend could land him a permanent place on the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series grid going forward.
“NASCAR is where I want to be now. I love everything about it, I love the show, I think anyone here today for the event they can see why it’s such an incredible event, and it’s an amazing thing to be a part of. The grid is extremely intense and this is where I want to be, where I want to be winning and making a name for myself.”
For more event information and tickets, visit www.speedfest.co.uk.