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The last round of
the 2004 FIA GT championship will be held in China, at the Zhuhai circuit. The
marine setting is a short distance from Macao and Hong Kong.
This modern autodrome was completed in 1999 and complies with the current F1
standards. The track measures 4,300 metres and includes a series of slow curves
that stress the brakes and oblige the driver to take care in getting the car’s
set up right.
As the MC12 was homologated by the FIA at the last World Council meeting on 13
October, the AF Corse team will field a Maserati that can now score points in
the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
To promote with the event, the organisers and the local authorities have set up
a variety of activities in the city of Zhuhai. The race has attracted huge
interest in the local media. The events will culminate in a spectacle that will
see VIP guests climb on board a Spyder and Coupé before the race. There is a lot
of interest in the Maseratis and even the mayor of the city spent a long time
around the pits where he met Claudio Berro.
The two MC12s set the fastest times at the end of the free practice session run
today. Andrea Bertolini was quickest this morning with Fabrizio De Simone in
fourth. In the afternoon session, Johnny Herbert set the fastest time, just
ahead of Mika Salo.
Claudio Berro: "We are very pleased the today’s result obtained by the AF Corse
team. The squad worked very well. A set up that suited both cars was chosen and
the collaboration of our partners was important, particularly that of Pirelli.
Following the FIA’s homologation of the MC12, our cars can now take championship
points. It would be great to end the season with a win here in China. It is a
country with an expanding market where Maserati is already officially present
with a network of dealerships."
Andrea Bertolini: "We got the tyre choice spot on and found the perfect set up
so we can look to tomorrow and the race with promise. This circuit works the
brakes very much. The media and the public are very enthusiastic and the
atmosphere is a pleasant one. I have been to Shanghai once before with the
roadgoing MC12."
Mika Salo: "We found the perfect set up and the Pirelli tyres that we opted for
performed well. Tomorrow we will try again. I am very happy to be racing here in
China. The last time I was in these parts was fifteen years ago when I competed
in Hong Kong."
Johnny Herbert: "We completed the planned programme, selected the tyres and
settled tomorrow’s set up. The car handles better now. We have to look at a few
minor details but I am very pleased as I improved with each lap. The brakes are
given a thorough workout out on this track and the last curve is the trickiest."
Fabrizio De Simone: "We were consistent in both sessions. We found the right set
up and have chosen the tyres we will use tomorrow and in the race. The are a lot
of points where you have to brake sharply and only one straight, so the brakes
come in for some stress. I overshot and came off at the last curve a few moments
before the end of the first session but there was no problem."
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