Christian Merli at the 19th Subida Arona at Tenerife

On Saturday, 2022 European champion Christian Merli is racing at the 19th edition of the Subida Arona – La Escalona in the south of Tenerife, Canary Islands. After the win at Tamaimo he would never have expected to be also invited to the Arona hill climb two weeks later. In the meantime he has been treated to numerous events and presentations organised by the staff.

Arona – La Escalona
“It’s incredible. I’ve never been spoiled like this, and admittedly I feel honoured. I alternated between relaxing and working on the car. The new Osella is powered by a Peugeot-derived, turbocharged 1170 engine which produces 400 hp. On Saturday I will be racing at the 19th Subida Arona – La Escalona in the south of the island.”

The track
“It’s a fast race, 4.400 km long. It starts immediately with seven wide, third-gear hairpins with straights between them. Half way through, there is a series of fast double bends, then there are more straights and seven tight hairpins, followed by a final stretch with third-gear corners. Another track which is completely new to me, and this time it’ll be very tough because Eduardo Lauren Garcia Estevez will be there with the 3 litre Nova 01. A local driver who knows the track well. We’re still working on the Osella to find the right setup. The event takes place all on one day. One practice run in the morning and two race runs in the afternoon, with the better time being retained.”

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer