Maserati triumphs in Bucharest
FIA GT – BUCHAREST, 20 MAY 2007
MASERATI TRIUMPHS IN BUCHAREST AND MOVES TO THE HEAD OF THE CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
Bertolini/Piccini performed brilliantly in the third round of the FIA GT championship. The race was held in rainy conditions on the city circuit of Bucharest. It was a fine result, one topped off by the third place taken by Ramos/Montanari and Biagi/Gollin in sixth. This allowed Maserati to move to the top of the Constructors' standings.
Scuderia Playteam Sarafree scored its first win in the FIA GT Championship. Victory came courtesy of a strategy assured by the efficiency and consistency of the Pirelli tyres. Their performance meant that the Italian duo did not have to change tyres during the entire two hour race.
Driving rain fell throughout the race, one in which the MC12 was always in the action. At the start, Alessandro Pier Guidi set the fastest lap (1’27”784 on lap eight) before handing over to Giambattista Giannoccaro. He, unfortunately, was to come off worse in a clash with a GT2 car and forced to retire.
At the halfway stage, Piccini claimed first place from Wendlinger and held it until it was time for the driver changes. Bertolini still held a big enough lead coming out of the pits to hold off the pack until the end.
He crossed the line 39”713 ahead of Bouchut/Mucke and 1’04”609 of Ramos/Montanari. The crew in the number 2 MC12 demonstrated that they could compete during the weekend. They ended the race in third place despite making two stops and a drive through. It was the first podium in the FIA GT Championship for both Montanari and Ramos.
Maserati moves to the top of the Constructors' series with this result (42 points). Next come Chevrolet Corvette (37) and Aston Martin (20). The Vitaphone Racing Team increased its advantage in the team standings (27 points compared to the 18 earned by All-Inkl.com Racing).
Andrea Bertolini: “It was a team victory. In conditions like today's a great strategy is important and it is crucial not to make mistakes. From this point of view, both Andrea and I drove perfectly. The team was also excellent. Today's result was also down to Pirelli as we managed to get through the race without changing tyres. Despite this, we were easily able to hold off the others, even at the end.