In this section you will find the biographies of our speakers who will participate in the Motorsport Club 2024 event on May 3rd at Laboratorio Aperto in Modena.
OPEN REMARKS
MAY 3, 10.00 AM
MATTEO COSTARIOL, GLOBAL MARKETING ARCHITECTURE
Experienced international expert with a proven track record of helping Italian companies expand their business operations beyond national borders. With almost 20 years of industry experience, he has successfully guided companies by conducting in-depth market analysis, devising targeted entry strategies, selecting effective distribution channels, and overseeing international business development.
In 2015 Matteo founded Global Marketing Architecture (GMA), a company specialized in facilitating business connections and collaborations between Italian and foreign companies in the motorsport sector investing particularly in recognizing the importance of both Italy and the United Kingdom as pillars of the European motorsport industry and actively work to create networking opportunities and knowledge exchange between the two nations.
He is a trusted consultant for both institutional clients and commercial networks, providing reliable advice and support in Italy as well as internationally. His dedication to developing practical strategies for commercial growth has significantly contributed to the success and advancement of the companies he has worked with. Having successfully executed projects on a global scale, Matteo possesses strong project management and development skills. Despite his extensive international experience, he remains focused on key sectors of the company, such as Motorsport and Med Tech Industries, where GMA aims to expand its presence.
SERENA CORTI, Deputy Consul General and Operations Director Italy – Trade, British Consulate-General Milan![]()
Serena Corti is Deputy Consul General and Executive Director of the British Department for International Trade in Italy, based at the Consulate General in Milan.
With over 25 years of diplomatic experience, Serena has worked closely with international actors from the world of industry, institutions, and military authorities to explore synergies and collaboration projects in support of bilateral relations between the UK and Italy. In the automotive field, during the first edition in 2023 of “Motorsport Club: Revving up the Italy-UK Cooperation Engine,” Serena represented the British government’s support for bilateral dialogue in the motorsport sector and opportunities for collaboration between the British and Italian Motor Valleys.
Since April 2021, Serena has been the first Italian to hold the role of Deputy Consul General and Executive Director of the British Department for International Trade in Italy. Serena has actively contributed to the realization of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2023 by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as well as the Strategic Dialogue for the Promotion of Exports and Investments.
MAY 3, 10.30 AM
MODERATOR: FRANCESCO LEALI, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
CROSSING BOUNDARIES: LEVERAGING MOTORSPORT EXPERTISE IN AEROSPACE AND BEYOND
PIM VAN BAARSEN, SILVERSTONE TECHNOLOGY CLUSTER
Award winning marketeer and business leader Pim van Baarsen has been the CEO of the Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC) since its inception in January 2017. Pim started his career at the Motorsport Industry Association after completing a Masters degree in business studies. During his time there he was presented with the AIM Young Business Person of the Year award for his efforts in helping the organisation grow. He subsequently joined transmission specialists Xtrac where he oversaw their sportscar activities. After two years there he was invited to join Haymarket as Group Marketing Manager. In 2010, Pim co-founded CMA Marketing, a marketing agency specialising in technical B2B marketing. In December 2016 Pim was asked to head up the Silverstone Technology Cluster. He is also part of the Industry Advisory Group set up in January 2021 and is chair of the STC board since 2022. He sits on the Board for SEMLEP Growth Hub and is a member of the steering group for Central Arc Angels Investment Group, as well as being an advisory board member for Be the Business. In his spare time, Pim is a keen film enthusiast and is executive producer of the indie production, Wild Bones.
ANDREA TOSO, MOTORSPORT RACING EXPERT
Director of Academic and Cultural Programs Master’s Degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Philosophy, and Ancient Literature. With 35 years of experience at Dallara Automobili, including 25 years leading the Indycar program. Three-time winner of the Loius Schwitzer Award (2008, 2014, 2018) for engineering excellence related to the Indy 500 (21 wins out of 25 participations). Designed and constructed the carbon drill for the Rosetta Mission (ESA, 2004). Served as Director of Vehicle Dynamics at Dallara for over 25 years, working on driving simulators, on-track support, and performance for high-performance racing and road vehicles in which Dallara has been involved directly or indirectly.
RICHARD SAXBY, MCLAREN APPLIED
Since joining F1 in 1999, Richard has accumulated ten F1 world constructors championships, working for teams such as RedBull Racing, Renault F1 and most recently as Head of Test and Development at Mercedes AMG F1. Graduating in electronic engineering, Richard began his career with Stewart GP as a graduate R&D engineer, then entering the Pitlane as a trackside engineer running teams at Renault F1 before returning to factory based operations at Mercedes in Brackley. Now Director of Motorsport for McLaren Applied Richard is well aware of what it is to be a customer, ensuring motorsport teams around the globe are engaged with the very latest technology we have to offer and delivery and quality is to the Motorsport standard our industry enjoys.
FRANCESCA PAOLI, DINO PAOLI
At Dino Paoli since 1997, Francesca Paoli has been at the helm of the leading Reggio Emilia-based company in the production of screwdrivers and accessories for motorsport, automotive, and industry since 2005. Since 2022, the CEO of Dino Paoli has also served as Vice President of Unindustria Reggio Emilia, following a lengthy tenure within the association as President of Small Enterprises, a member of the Board of Directors of the Mechatronics Group, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Youth Group. She is also Vice President of AICA – Italian Association of Auto Equipment Manufacturers and RPM: the Motorsport Professionals Network that brings together and promotes industry excellence worldwide. In 2023, she received the special mention “Women for the World” as part of Women Value Company: an award by Intesa Sanpaolo Group and the Marisa Bellisario Foundation that recognizes female entrepreneurship.
FABRIZIO SANVITO, PIRELLI
Fabrizio Sanvito graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in 1993. He began his career at Pirelli Tyre in 1993, initially working in the Central R&D Department in Milan within the Testing sector, where he focused on developing new testing methodologies for car tyres. In 2012, he assumed the role of manager for the development of Standard Car Tyres. Since 2020 he has held the role of Motorsport Testing manager, leading the Innovative Testing Methods development for both F1 and single seater/circuit tyres.
MAY 3, 12.15 PM
MODERATOR: UPDATING
ACCELERATING INNOVATION: EXPLORING CUTTING-EDGE MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES IN MOTORSPORT
ANDREA TOSO, DALLARA AUTOMOBILI
Director of Academic and Cultural Programs Master’s Degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Philosophy, and Ancient Literature. With 35 years of experience at Dallara Automobili, including 25 years leading the Indycar program. Three-time winner of the Loius Schwitzer Award (2008, 2014, 2018) for engineering excellence related to the Indy 500 (21 wins out of 25 participations). Designed and constructed the carbon drill for the Rosetta Mission (ESA, 2004). Served as Director of Vehicle Dynamics at Dallara for over 25 years, working on driving simulators, on-track support, and performance for high-performance racing and road vehicles in which Dallara has been involved directly or indirectly.
FRANCESCO ROMANI, PIRELLI
Francesco Romani graduated in Chemistry at the University of Pisa in 1997 and completed the PhD in Materials Science at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa in 2000. In 2000 joined Pirelli Tyre, he held roles in the Central R&D of Milan in the Materials Development sector, developing Compounds and Innovative Materials both for Motorsport and for Road Tyres. Since 2022 he has held the role of Materials Management Manager, leading the innovation and development of materials for the tires of the future.
MARCUS TROFIMOV, SILVERSTONE COMPOSITES
Young driven entrepreneur, thriving to push the boundaries in advance engineering in composites and other industries, creating opportunities for the younger generation to learn and develop there skills. And on the way having a good time doing it.
MARCO BATTILANI, TAZZARI GROUP
Marco Battilani began his experience in the earthmoving machinery sector and subsequently in the aluminum foundry sector for high quality castings. CEO of the Tazzari Group since 2013, he manages the various businesses of the group which are headed by two operating companies:
– Tazzari GL Imola Spa is active in the field of sheet metal processing, mechanical processing, machine assembly for the most important packaging groups, design and production of electric vehicles
– Fonderie Alluminio Tazzari Spa is an important player in the aluminum foundry sector and supplies some of the most important automotive and motorcycle players as well as being present in multiple sectors. It uses Sand casting, Gravity Die Casting and low pressure technologies.
Tazzari Group, 60 years of history, is in Imola, in the heart of the Motor Valley
MAY 3, 2.30 PM
MODERATOR: RICCARDO PATERNI, Rete Professionisti Motorsport
DRIVING THE FUTURE: UNLEASHING SYNERGIES BETWEEN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ELECTRONICS, AND ADVANCED APPLICATIONS IN MOTORSPORT
NIKHIL GARRETT, DYNISMA
Nikhil currently heads up Dynisma’s simulation team, focusing on advancing their motorsport and automotive simulators while also integrating new software and hardware packages. Nik has worked on simulator development for both Toyota and Ferrari F1 teams. He has also conducted research into motion cueing algorithms with several academic papers published on the subject.
LUCA SOLIERI, ALMA AUTOMOTIVE
Luca Solieri began his career in the engineering sector after obtaining a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 2004 and a PhD in Energy Systems Engineering in 2008, both from the University of Bologna.
In 2009, he joined Alma Automotive as its first employee. Over the years, he has held various positions of responsibility within the company, and in 2015, he was promoted to the role of Chief Technology Officer, making significant contributions to technological innovation and corporate development.
Subsequently, in 2018, Luca was appointed as the CEO of Alma Automotive, assuming leadership of the company and guiding it through periods of growth and change. In 2019, with Alma Automotive’s acquisition of 100% of Borghi & Saveri, he expanded his role to also become the CEO of Borghi & Saveri.
LIDIO PATRIZIO, AVIORACE
44 years old, I am married with two children. I hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sapienza University of Rome.
I began my career as a CAD-CAM designer. However, following my desires and inclinations, I soon moved towards the technical-commercial sector. I worked in the procurement offices of Alstom and Lamborghini, where I held roles such as series buyer/project leader and purchasing manager for the Racing Team. Later, I returned to Alstom as a Global Commodity Manager. My passion for Motorsport and the prospect of a significant challenge led me to Aviorace, where I have been the Commercial Director for over 5 years. In this role, I oversee the company’s business and company development strategy, the commercial team, and a simple yet effective marketing activity.
RICHARD SAXBY, MCLAREN APPLIED
Since joining F1 in 1999, Richard has accumulated ten F1 world constructors championships, working for teams such as RedBull Racing, Renault F1 and most recently as Head of Test and Development at Mercedes AMG F1. Graduating in electronic engineering, Richard began his career with Stewart GP as a graduate R&D engineer, then entering the Pitlane as a trackside engineer running teams at Renault F1 before returning to factory based operations at Mercedes in Brackley. Now Director of Motorsport for McLaren Applied Richard is well aware of what it is to be a customer, ensuring motorsport teams around the globe are engaged with the very latest technology we have to offer and delivery and quality is to the Motorsport standard our industry enjoys.