The 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) has welcomed CL Motorsport, a determined new entrant to one of the toughest junior single-seater championships in Europe. Based in Bedizzole, Italy, the team combines Italian motorsport tradition with a forward-looking approach. In its debut season, the outfit already demonstrated resilience, ambition, and flashes of competitiveness, finishing seventh in the Teams’ Championship with 13 points.
A 2025 debut for a new Italian team
CL Motorsport emerged in 2022 through the vision of Jack and David Li. Founded in Desenzano del Garda, close to the legendary South Garda Karting circuit, the team drew inspiration from a region deeply rooted in motorsport culture. After three years of careful preparation, the team finally entered FRECA in 2025 with the aim of competing against established outfits while giving young drivers the platform to prove themselves.
The leadership structure has played a pivotal role in shaping the squad’s identity. David Li, as Team Owner Representative, ensures operational strength and strategic direction. Stefano Alessi, as Technical Director, applies decades of engineering experience to guide car performance and technical innovation. Meanwhile, Chief Mechanic Thomas Madraga provides hands-on expertise in the garage while mentoring younger mechanics. Together, they created a foundation strong enough to withstand the intensity of a debut season.
Valerio Rinicella (#12)
Italian driver Valerio Rinicella, born in 2007, opened the season for CL Motorsport at Misano. He began his career in Formula 4 in 2022, racing in Spain, Italy, and the UAE. His breakthrough arrived in 2023, when he secured third place in the Spanish F4 Championship, with two victories and a total of 12 podium finishes. Moreover, he became a protégé of Formula One race winner Giancarlo Fisichella and GT driver Marco Cioci, who both guided his early career.
Rinicella graduated to FRECA in 2024 with MP Motorsport. Although his first season proved difficult, he nonetheless scored points at the Red Bull Ring and Monza. He also represented MP Motorsport at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix, where he finished 11th.
In 2025, Rinicella joined CL Motorsport for the opening round at Misano. He finished 20th in Race 1 and retired in Race 2. Despite this challenging start, his experience in FRECA and Eurocup-3 provided the team with valuable technical feedback. Alongside FRECA, Rinicella continued to compete in Eurocup-3 with MP Motorsport and prepared for his debut in endurance racing in the Asian Le Mans Series, where he represented Algarve Pro Racing in the LMP2 class.
Macéo Capietto (#9)
French racer Macéo Capietto, born in 2006, became the second driver to represent CL Motorsport. Coming from a motorsport family, he is the son of Prema Racing manager Guillaume Capietto and grew up in the competitive karting scene of Île-de-France. Early in his career, he received guidance from the late Anthoine Hubert and achieved strong results, including second place in the Karting Academy Trophy.
Capietto transitioned to single-seaters in 2021, racing in the French F4 Championship. Although he won four races and fought for the title, a controversial clash with Esteban Masson cost him the championship. Nevertheless, he progressed into FRECA in 2022, first with Monolite Racing and later with Race Performance Motorsport, where he scored his maiden podium in 2023.
In 2025, he returned to FRECA with CL Motorsport for selected rounds, beginning at Spa-Francorchamps. Unfortunately, mechanical issues forced him to retire from both races. Nevertheless, his endurance racing programme remained his primary focus. In 2024, he joined Iron Lynx-Proton in the European Le Mans Series and secured a debut victory at Mugello. He also contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he briefly led before retiring due to an electrical problem. Alongside his racing commitments, Capietto pursues a degree in automotive engineering at ESTACA, balancing academic study with professional competition.
Zachary David (#9)
Filipino driver Zachary David, born in 2007, became a standout performer for CL Motorsport. He began karting in Asia before moving to Europe, where he joined the Sauber Karting Team in 2022. By 2023, he progressed to Italian F4 and Euro 4, securing several podiums. He also impressed in the Formula 4 UAE Championship, where he claimed a race victory at Kuwait Motor Town.
David entered FRECA in 2024 with R-ace GP, finishing 13th in the championship with 58 points. His consistent performances earned him recognition as one of the most promising drivers from Southeast Asia.
In 2025, he joined CL Motorsport part-time, beginning at the Hungaroring. He immediately made history for the team by finishing second in Race 2, securing CL Motorsport’s first podium in its debut season. Although his later outings at Paul Ricard and Imola proved more challenging, his podium highlighted his potential and gave the team confidence.
Alongside his commitments in FRECA, David also competed in Super Formula Lights in Japan with B-Max Racing Team, where he further refined his racecraft against some of Asia’s top junior drivers. His dual campaign underscored his adaptability and global ambitions.
Michael Belov (#20)
Russian-born driver Michael Belov, racing under the Kyrgyz flag, brought experience and stability to CL Motorsport. Born in 2001, Belov’s career began in SMP F4, where he claimed five victories in 2018. He progressed through Italian F4, ADAC F4, and Formula Renault before making appearances in FIA Formula 3 with Charouz Racing in 2020.
Belov became a familiar name in FRECA, achieving multiple victories since his debut in 2021. Although financial and logistical challenges disrupted several of his campaigns, he consistently demonstrated strong pace and racecraft. By the time he joined CL Motorsport in 2025, he was already regarded as a seasoned competitor.
For CL Motorsport, Belov became the team’s most reliable points scorer. He secured top-ten finishes at the Hungaroring and Imola. His best results included seventh place in the Hungaroring Race 2 and Imola Race 2, alongside a tenth place in Imola Race 1. By the end of the season, Belov amassed 13 points, placing 15th in the Drivers’ Championship and helping CL Motorsport to finish seventh overall in the Teams’ standings.
Beyond FRECA, Belov also took part in Eurocup-3 with Drivex and continued to pursue opportunities in international single-seater racing, positioning himself as both a competitor and a mentor for younger talents.
The start of the journey
CL Motorsport entered FRECA in 2025 with determination, preparation, and a clear vision. Despite being newcomers, the team established itself quickly by combining Italian racing heritage with modern technical expertise. Each driver contributed something different: Rinicella provided early experience, Capietto added endurance racing pedigree, David delivered the team’s first podium, and Belov ensured consistent points finishes.
As a result, CL Motorsport secured seventh place in the Teams’ Championship with 13 points, a commendable achievement for a debut season. More importantly, the team gained invaluable knowledge, forged strong foundations, and proved its ability to compete against established rivals.
Looking ahead, CL Motorsport will continue to build upon this momentum. With its passionate leadership, talented technical staff, and ambitious driver choices, the team now stands ready to push higher up the FRECA grid. The debut season marked only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting motorsport journey.
