19.09.2004 "The fight with our team-mates was so hard, but we didn't make mistakes and that's how we won the title" post FIA GT race reaction from Oschersleben

1st in GT: Mika Salo - nr 33 AF Corse Maserati MC12: "I've been on podium quite a lot lately, but this is the first victory for me for some years now. It turned out that being fifth in qualifying was good enough for the victory today.

"We didn't have any problems with the car at all. The only issue was that something ripped off the radio cables and we were left off without any radio. We didn't know who was in front and who was behind us, and when we had to push hard.

"It was only near the end that they showed us a pit board saying that we were leading and stating the gap to the others, so then we went a bit easier.

Our speed isn't the best. Even the Saleen with the maximum penalty weight did quicker lap times than we did. We were very consistent, though, and that's what helped us win the race."

1st in GT: Andrea Bertolini - nr 33 AF Corse Maserati MC12: "For Mika and me, this has been a very hard race. The strategy turned out to be very important. We started the race on intermediate tyres, which was difficult on the first three or four laps when the track was still wet. I have to thank Pirelli and the team, who did unbelievable work with the pitstop."

2nd in GT: Fabrizio Gollin - nr 2 BMS Scuderia Ferrari 550 Maranello: "It was incredible! Today was just a dream day! The team did fantastic work. Luca and I didn't make many mistakes during the whole season, and it paid off. Eight podiums in one season is unbelievable. I'm lost for words."

2nd in GT: Luca Cappellari - nr 2 BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari 550 Maranello: "We've done five races with 100kilos ballast this year, that's just incredible. The fight with our team-mates was so hard, but we didn't make mistakes and that's how we won the title.

"Today was a hard race for us. I was hit in the side, which broke the exhaust of the car. That cost us about three or four tenths a lap. But the Scuderia Italia did a fantastic job here today!"

4th in GT: Tarso Marques - nr 17 JMB Racing Ferrari 575 GTC: "This is a completely different world compared to what I was driving before. I'm very happy, though. I wasn't expecting to be on podium here today. But I have a very experienced team-mate who did a great job. I think if it hadn't been for the penalty we could have been even higher up on podium."

4th in GT: Karl Wendlinger - nr 17 JMB Racing Ferrari 575 GTC: "The race was very good. We took the risk to start on slicks, which was the right decision. It was very difficult during the first couple of laps, but then the race was going really well for us.

"During my last stint, the nr 3 car was in front of us and blocked us, and that's how the nr 1 car could close up to us. He tried to overtake, he touched me, I touched him, and I think that's what the penalty was for. Otherwise, we could have even had a better result, but it's okay."

3rd in N-GT: Christian Pescatori - nr 62 GPC Giesse Ferrari 360 GTC: "It was very easy for us to drive in those conditions. Ferrari is always competitive. Today we made a mistake with the pit stop. It was the first time something like this happened. In any case, I'm looking forward to the next round in Dubai."

3rd in N-GT: Vincent Vosse - nr 62 GPC Giesse Ferrari 360 GTC: "It was very nice! The car was good to drive. I got in, then we had the Safety Car phase and I was stopped by the red traffic light at the end of the pitlane.

"We lost quite some time because of that. Then I was stuck in the traffic and lost even more time. We got vibrations on the tyres later, which slowed us down a bit. Overall, it wasn\'t the best strategy, but the car was great."

5th in GT: Matteo Bobbi - nr 1 BMS Scuderia Italia 550 Maranello: "It was a difficult race, but it was going well until just 20 minutes to the end when Wendlinger touched me and pushed me off.

"I spoke to him, and he apologized and explained that it was not his fault. I finished fourth, the Championship is finished now, but I'm still in second place, and I hope to keep it until the end."

DNF: Andrea Piccini - nr 24 Dams Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT: "The race was quite good as long as it lasted. The start was difficult for everyone. The conditions were difficult, but we were catching up.

"When we put on slicks, we did really good lap times. We were almost as fast as the leading cars. And then, a drive shaft problem stopped us again. I\'m sure we could have finished on podium, if it hadn't been for that. It would have been a great result.

"But anyway, we're making good progress, and we know what we still have to work on. We were competitive here, and we're happy about that even if it didn't work out in the end."