While slightly overshadowed by the debut of the Maserati MC12, the two DAMS-run Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT sportscars made their much-delayed FIA GT Championship debut at Imola this morning when the first free practice session kicked off.

Lead driver Andrea Piccini commented afterward, "It was the first session in the car. I don't think it's too bad. We are two and a half seconds off the pace and we are quite close to the 575 cars. We are a way behind the Saleens but we have 60 kilos on board. On this track, that's maybe one second.

"So there's going to be a big gap. The car is not really easy to drive at the moment. It looked easier during testing, but with the temperatures here, it's not easy at all. We still have to work, but I think we can do a good job.

"The heat is a bit of a problem for us, because the air flow in the car is minimal, and we have to open something in the roof to get some fresh air at least. It's all new, so we have to work a bit on the car."