01.08.2005 "It is not easy finding the words to express what I feel, for me it is a dream come true" post 24 Hours of Spa reaction from Maserati

Claudio Berro: "I am really pleased at the result, for the work done by our technicians in developing the car and for my team. Pirelli's tyres allowed us to confront the variable weather with confidence. This was Maserati's first win in a 24 Hour race, one which confirms top spot in the Constructors' Cup.

"It also sees the Vitaphone team and JMB in the first two places in the Team standings, with Bartels and Scheider a little further back. We are also pleased at the performance of the Team Giudici Trofeo Light that managed to finish the 24 Hour. It is a fun and inexpensive car to drive for gentleman drivers."

Michael Bartels: "It is not easy finding the words to express what I feel. For me it is a dream come true. It was a tough race but the whole team was fantastic. I have to thank my driving partners who drove when the weather was really bad. Thanks also to Pirelli and Maserati who set up the car perfectly.

"It is a shame about the second Vitaphone Racing Team car who pulled out when they were on the podium. Now we will aim to win a normal three hour race, maybe the next one in Germany at Oschersleben."

Timo Scheider: "It was an exciting race from beginning to end and, in fact, I spun when lapping a back marker on the very last lap in the driving rain. I can confirm that our next aim is to take the next three hour in the FIA GT championship calendar, at Oschersleben at the end of August."
 

Maserati MC12 - 24 Hours of Spa
Maserati MC12 - 24 Hours of Spa

JMB Racing - Maserati MC12 - 2005 Proximus 24 Hours of Spa

Maserati MC12 - 24 Hours of Spa
Maserati MC12 - 24 Hours of Spa

Team Vitaphone - Maserati MC12 - Proximus 24 Hours of Spa

 
Eric Van de Poele: "The 24 Hours of Spa is one of the most famous endurance races in the world and obviously here in Belgium. A team has to be prepared perfectly to win this race. This has been great and I dedicate my win to a friend who sadly died recently."

Philippe Peter: "Incredible! It was a real pleasure racing alongside Andrea and Karl. I felt at home with them immediately and I shared a great car with excellent Pirelli tyres. I am pleased as we scored valuable points and because I thought we would be able to score a one-two finish like this in our first 24 Hour! My partners allowed me the honour of crossing the finish line. It is a shame that there was so much water on the track in the closing stages."

Andrea Bertolini: "I am really pleased as I now lead the Drivers' Championship together with Karl. I am also happy as, after a year of developing the car step by step, we win such a great race as the 24 Hour. I want to thank the guys on the Maserati and Pirelli teams who backed us up at every stage."
 

Related articles
31.07.2005

Maserati scored a historic one-two finish in the Spa 24 Hours earlier today, it was the first time the MC12 had competed in a race of this type

29.07.2005

The Vitaphone Maserati MC12 - driven by Michael Bartels, Timo Schneider and Eric Van de Poele - will lead out an all-Trident front row when they start the 24 Hours of Spa from pole position

Report & Photos: Maserati Corse; © 2005 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed