Team presentation - Valle Esports

The yellow-black car will be driven by the driver-duo Gitsov-Bintz.

Another new team is entering the Virtual Formula Championship in 2025: Italian team Valle eSports will be competing for the first time this season. Driver Chris Gitsov first registered his interest in 2024, which led to some dialogue with the VFC management and Valle. And after some organisational discussions, the registration was finally completed, meaning that VFC once again has a larger eSports team in the field.

Valle is the brainchild of Massimiliano ‘Massi’ Ribolli; the Italian founded the team in 2017 and established it as a permanent fixture in 2021, an important year for sim racing. Since then, the team can look back on a successful history. Titles in the FSR and the first VEC victory in 2024 can be cited by Ribolli. But one thing is much more important to the Italian: "The success I am most proud of is the community we have built: an amazing group of people, both on and off the track, and many people I have known for years now and who I am happy to call friends. That's the biggest success for me."

In the first year, the VFC wants to start small; fun without pressure is to be the main focus. At the same time, Ribolli makes a statement that should please the VFC management: "If we don't put ourselves under pressure, the results will come sooner rather than later, because we want to stay for the long term." According to the team boss, Valle is therefore entering the 2025 season with low expectations.

The line-up consists of the Bulgarian Chris Gitsov and the Luxembourgian Janson Bintz. Gitsov was primarily the one who got the ball rolling for the VFC join; he is optimistic and extremely happy to be competing in the VFC and is hoping for a fun season and a friendly community. Gitsov will lead the team in the VFC on Ribolli's behalf and drive forward the development of the car. Above all, it is important for him to represent Valle properly and have fun at the same time. Gitsov's team goals are as follows: "Our main objective is to gain a foothold in the championship and enjoy the experience. Beyond that, we want to be a strong competitor, build consistency and experiment with concepts and strategies that we can apply across the team in the future."

When asked what the Bulgarian's personal goals are, he is down to earth: "On a personal level, my main goal is to improve as a driver. My progress in 2024 was a bit slow after not racing for almost two years. So I hope to regain some of the pace I lost during that break. I also want to develop as a team manager and leader, which is something I'm really looking forward to this season." It must also be mentioned that Gitsov also demonstrates a sense of humour; he himself stated that he hopes not to implode over the course of the season.

His team-mate Janson Bintz is also likely to have the same hope: According to his own statements, the Luxembourger is not actually driving single-seaters and therefore still has to get used to cars and tracks in a combination. However, Bintz made a good impression during the pre-season tests, a fact that was probably also associated with fun; because according to Bintz, it was precisely these tests that were the decisive factor in his decision in favour of a season in the VFC.

For now, Bintz wants to concentrate on finding his feet, collecting points and learning: "It would be nice to fight for the championship in the longer term. But we have absolutely no idea where we stand at the moment. I think we'll have a much better picture after the first race," continued the Luxembourgian. In the end, Bintz says that he is really looking forward to the season and is grateful for the VFC organising the championship.

The Italians are therefore embarking on their first VFC season and are hoping above all for fun and a good community. The signs are not bad. Welcome to the VFC, Valle eSports!