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Thanks to the
points obtained by the two Maserati MC12s in the eighth
round of the FIA GT Championship, the Vitaphone Racing Team
has claimed the teams' title. At the end of the race held
yesterday (Sunday 1 October) at the Hungaroring, the number
1 Maserati MC12 with Andrea Bertolini/Michael Bartels on
board came home fifth. The number 2 car, driven by Jamie
Davies-Thomas Biagi, came seventh.
Despite the 85 kg handicap on Bertolini/Bartels' car and 105
kg weighing down the example of Davies/Biagi (the heaviest
car in the race) the Maserati MC12 raced well and allowed
the team to claim the title with two races to spare. The
race was a lively one and was won by Montermini/Bert/Janis
in their Saleen S7-R. Next came the Corvette C6R driven by
Kumpen/Longin/Hezemans and the Aston Martin of Babini/Malucelli.
Thanks to the performance at the Hungaroring, the Drivers'
championship is now much closer: with two races left
Bertolini and Bartels have a nine point advantage over the
Aston Martin driven by Piccini/Deletraz. The two Maserati
MC12s have battled with the weight handicap since the start.
In the early part of the race, Bertolini tussled with
Bouchut's Lamborghini and overtook it on lap 5. Biagi, on
lap 17, got the better of Peter's Aston Martin DBR 9. The
first driver change made by the Maserati crews took place
between laps 30 and 33.
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Despite the 85 kg handicap on Bertolini/Bartels' car
and 105 kg weighing down the example of Davies/Biagi
(the heaviest car in the race) the Maserati MC12
raced well and allowed the team to claim the title
with two races to spare. |
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Thanks to the points obtained by the two Maserati
MC12s in the eighth round of the FIA GT
Championship, the Vitaphone Racing Team has claimed
the teams' title. |
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After the pitstop Bartels and Davies had to deal with Ramos'
Aston Martin. One hour from the end, Bartels handed over to
Bertolini. The stop allowed the Maserati MC12 to edge past
two adversaries. On lap 69, Davies gave up the driving seat
to Biagi. The Italian's stint was hampered by a clash with
Babini's Aston Martin DBR 9 and a spin. The duel in the
closing stages involved Bertolini's Maserati MC12 and
Gollin's Aston Martin DBR 9. With a spectacular overtaking
move, the Trident driver managed to sweep past his adversary
on Lap 99 earning fifth place in the process.
It was also a weekend tinged with glory for the Maserati MC
12 in the Italian “Sara GT championship”. In the penultimate
round of the season, in the two races at Mugello the team
Playlife car driven by Toni Wilander and Giambattista
Giannoccaro took the plaudits.
The next rounds of the 2006 FIA GT Championship will be held
on 15 October at Adria (Italy) and 18 November in Dubai (UAE).
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