14.11.2004 "We are pleased with this result in a car that has only just been homologated, it has huge potential that the client teams will be able to exploit next season" Maserati FIA GT RACE REPORT FROM ZUHAI

With a spectacular one-two, the two Maserati MC12s fielded by AF Corse signed off the FIA GT championship in the best of ways.

Run at Zhuhai, China, the result was important in strengthening the Trident marque in what is a market with enormous growth potential. Chief Executive Martin Leach, the heads of local dealerships and invited guests were present at the track to witness the great event.

Having set the second and third fastest times in qualifying, Herbert and Salo got off to a reasonable start and after the first round of pit stops the MC12s had moved into the lead. The two Maseratis battled for top spot with Bobbi/Gardel’s 550 Maranello throughout, with the 575 GTC of Babini/Morbidelli occasionally pressing.

Adopting the right race strategy was to prove fundamental in gaining a margin over the pack. The new Pirellis played a crucial role in this as they gave the MC12 drivers the chance to run two stints with the same set of tyres and at a consistently high rhythm. Not having to change the tyres meant that precious seconds were saved during the pit stop.

During the race, Bertolini was bumped by a Saleen but managed to maintain control of his MC12. Herbert, meanwhile, suffered a short-lived misfiring of his engine that saw him briefly concede first place to Salo. It was at this point that De Simone set off on an impossible comeback mission and the two Ferraris realised that victory was out of their grasp.

At the chequered flag Bertolini just edged out De Simone in a thrilling finish. The two MC12s then paraded side-by-side along the home straight and played out a grid start to salute the team gathered at the race wall. Bobbi and Gardel in the 550 Maranello from Scuderia Italia ended the race in third.

Martin Leach: "Today Maserati scored a fantastic win. I would like to thank the entire team for their efforts. This is a result that recalls the sporting origins of the company. Thanks also to all the sponsors and technical partners who have given us a helping hand in this great project."

Claudio Berro: "The team planned to have a well-balanced race car and this is how things turned out. The professionalism of the AF Corse drivers meant that both cars finished on the podium. A particular thanks goes out to Pirelli whose contribution meant that we had to make only one tyre change during the race, allowing us to further improve the advantage we had.

"We are pleased with this result in a car that has only just been homologated. It has huge potential that the client teams will be able to exploit next season."

Andrea Bertolini: "The car was perfect and we had a good start. The brakes also stood up well for the whole race. I was clipped by a Saleen in the middle of the race, but that is racing! I want to thank Pirelli as they provided excellent tyres.

"It feels great to finally get some championship points on the board; I can’t wait for next season. The outcome of these four races is very positive."

Mika Salo: "We got off to quite a good start. The new tyres supplied by Pirelli were exceptional as they allowed us to do two stints at the same high tempo. We didn’t have any particular problems. Our car is not the quickest that there is owing to the ballast and the modifications we made before the championship debut but the team is the most professional and the results demonstrate this. For Maserati, today’s result is very important."

Johnny Herbert: "Today we saw a real team success where the work is always stimulating and a joy; this is important. On a more personal level, Fabrizio and I have finished second on two occasions: here and in Dubai.

"I was in front and everything was going smoothly when I had a misfire and slowed considerably. Luckily, the problem righted itself after a few laps. The hitch put paid to our chances of victory but, in any case, we came here to win and as a team we did just that."

Fabrizio De Simone: "We did well. The whole team really performed. The Pirelli tyres were very consistent and allowed us to run two stints without having to change them. We had a misfire problem when Johnny was in the lead and we lost around fifteen seconds.

"We may have been able to go for the win had it not been for that. I tried to catch Andrea at the end of the race and we crossed the line in tandem."