Kart racing
In 1998 he stepped up from Kart racing, by competing in Italian Formula Campus and the Italian Renault Megane Cup Winter Series. A year later he drove in the Italian Renault Clio V6 Cup Winter Series, along with selected rounds of the Italian Renault Megane Cup. 2000 saw him finish the season fourth on points in the Renault Clio V6 Eurocup. That year he also became champion in the Italian Renault Clio Cup Winter Series. another title followed in 2002, winning the Italian Alfa 147 Cup.