07.09.2004 "I have a lot of faith, we just got started and the Lamborghini needs time and many kilometres of testing to grow" DAMS FIA GT race report from Imola
One
of the two DAMS Lamborghini entered in the Imola FIA GT race eventually crossed
the finish line after a few technical problems on the way.
However the French team was optimistic for the future after a
series of competitive lap times were recorded during the second half of the
race.
The Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT driven by Andrea Piccini and Jean Denis Deletraz
finally finished the race 11 laps behind the leader.
The other car, piloted by Felipe Ortiz and Beppe Gabbiani, retired after an hour
and fifty minutes with brake failure.
Jean-Paul Driot, CEO of DAMS commented, "Our two cars stopped
for the same problem on the rear left transmission, which damaged the braking
efficiency. Unfortunately the problem appeared another time on the car of Ortiz
and Gabbiani, we decided then to retire the car for safety reasons.
"The very hot conditions did not help us with our two new cars being raced for
the first time. On the other hand the car has shown a good potential, after the
problems were fixed Andrea was in the five quickest cars on track. We have one
week to analyse this weekend and be ready for Oschersleben, we definitely expect
to be much competitive there."
Andrea Piccini, "I knew things wouldn't have been easy here in Imola and the extreme heat didn't make things any easier. When you have a car that is making its debut with running very few tests, the risk is that it will be impossible to resolve all of the problems that come up and to find a good set up. Moreover, we still need more top speed to reach the level of our competitors.
"We know that we have to work hard and this is our objective till the end of the season: to improve race after race and to start the 2005 season in tip top shape.
"Even if we had many and various sorts of technical problems, I have to underline all the good we did during the qualifying and the race. In fact, we were rather fast during the qualifying session in the afternoon. Even if we still don't know how to take full advantage of the Michelin tyres. But there's time for that.
"Throughout the race, the car's behaviour was good with the used tyres.four During the third stint, I overtook four Ferrari 575s and I kept up the same times as the leaders proving my potential and that of the car. I have a lot of faith, we just got started and the Lamborghini needs time and many kilometres of tests to grow."
Next event for the DAMS team will be at Ochersleben in Germany on 19th September.