The Vitaphone Racing Team confirmed that they were the team to beat at Oschersleben after official qualifying. The two MC12s sporting black and green livery will both start on the front row for the seventh FIA GT Championship. It was a fine performance by the German team in front of their home crowd.

Michael Bartels set the best time of 1.22.991 at the beginning of the morning session. He was the only driver to dip under the one minute twenty-three second barrier. It was the second pole of the season for the number nine after that obtained at Spa. Michael Bartels: “The car was in good shape yesterday and so we wanted to continue the positive trend and start from the front. We knew that it would not be easy given that we had 90kg of ballast on board and that the competition was tough. However, we knew we had prepared well. We are very pleased with this result: two cars on the front row in our home race and the second consecutive pole. This morning we were one of the first cars on the track and I made the most of the open space to set the fast lap. The Pirelli tyres helped out immensely. In the afternoon we checked that everything was okay for tomorrow’s race. It is very important in terms of the championship for us to get a good result here at Oschersleben”.

Naturally, Timo Scheider too was satisfied. He missed the free practice session on Friday morning as he was busy at Paul Ricard testing in the new Formula A1 GP.

Fabio Babini and Thomas Biagi set the second quickest time. They kept back a set of tyres from the morning session in order to try improving in the afternoon. They were faster in this session but not quick enough to take top spot from their team mates. In any case, they will settle for second place. The pairing will hold a slight advantage in the race as the car will have less ballast on board: 50kg. The two MC12s came in just ahead of the Corvette and the first of the two 575s on show.

Fifth was the first of the two JMB Racing MC12s crewed by Philipp Peter/Arjan van der Zwaan/Marcello Zani. Peter’s fast lap was set during the morning session before he handed the steering wheel over to his team mates. Zani drove the Trident supercar here in Germany for the first time while van der Zwaan had driven the car at Spa. With a good strategy this car could do well given that it will only be carrying 25 kg.

The twin car, with Andrea Bertolini and Karl Wendlinger in the driving seat, had some difficulty in finding the right set up and will line up in eighth. In the afternoon qualifying session the two drivers managed to identify the problem and hope to perform well on Sunday. In order to maintain the championship lead it is important to continue picking up points and, perhaps, secure a podium position. This is their aim as they have 100kg of ballast to contend with. Unusually, Wendlinger will start first tomorrow.

Splitting the two JMB Racing MC12s is the Saleen evolution and the first of the 550s, driven by Bouchut. Gardel’s 550, second overall in the Championship, will start just behind the Bertolini/Wendlinger MC12. In the FIA GT the MC12s race exclusively in Pirelli tyres, as they do in the North American ALMS series. This collaboration is further evidence of the track success between Maserati and Pirelli. Proof of this are the fine results obtained in the Italian GT and the Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa.

This race will begin at 11.15 tomorrow and end at 14.15. It will be transmitted live on Eurosport 2 while Eurosport will screen a half-hour highlights show at 19.15. Sportitalia will transmit the first and last half hour of the race.

RACE - Another one-two for Maserati

No. 10 F Babini/T Biagi (Vitaphone Racing Team - chassis n. 07/15443)
1st Place - 121 laps in 2:58:24.41

No 15 A Bertolini/K Wendlinger (JMB Racing - chassis n. 08/15444)
2nd Place - 20.290 down

No 16 P Peter/A van der Zwaan/M. Zani (JMB Racing - chassis n. 04/15441)
5th Place - 1:15.233 down

No 9 M Bartels/T Scheider (Vitaphone Racing Team - chassis n. 02/15439)
retired

Weather: clear, dry track

Circuit length: 3,667 m

It was another one-two for Maserati after the success at Spa. This weekend witnessed the series move on to Oschersleben in Germany. The Modena house is now even closer to the mathematical lead in the Constructors' Cup.

At the end of an exciting race the Fabio Babini/Thomas Biagi crew secured their first win of the season. They edged out Andrea Bertolini e Karl Wendlinger, who have now extended their lead in the drivers' championship.

Three Italians are on the podium and so the Vitaphone Racing Team maintains the lead in the team championship ahead of the JMB Racing team. Behind the two MC12s came the Corvette driven Hezemans/Longin/Kumpen crew. They came in just in front of the Saleen with Gounon/Lechner in the driving seat. It was a good fifth spot for the Philipp Peter/Arjan van der Zwaan/Marcello Zani JMB Racing MC12. They preceded the team GPC 575, the Labre 550 and the team Reiter Lamborghini Murcielago. Zani was making his debut in the Trident car.

The home team formed of Michael Bartels and Timo Scheider were unlucky after having led for most of the race. They were forced to retire following with a problem with the starter. This after they were called to the pits by race officials. At the start the GLPK Racing Corvette split the two Vitaphone MC12s on the front row. Bartels took the lead early on. Hezemans then took top spot and then Babini after a tight duel when the pit stops began. In the meantime, Peter had taken fourth place after two great overtaking moves on Gounon and Piccini. Bertolini/Wendlinger started from eighth but made a superb comeback that saw them finish second on the very last lap. At the second round of pit stops, after two hours, Bartels/Scheider left the scene. Babini took the place of Biagi, who had re-taken the Corvette. He maintained top spot until the chequered flag.

The Italian pairing took the win at the end. They were very quick and lucky here but have been unlucky in the previous races. Bertolini/Wendlinger's consistent form was rewarded despite the 100kg of ballast on board. Fabio Babini: "It was important after Spa to win points and keep in touch with the leaders. We managed to claim the first win of the season. I would like to thank the team, Pirelli and Maserati as they did their all to obtain this result".

Thomas Biagi: "It was the second win on this circuit after having won in 2003. We had a great duel with the Corvette. It was a shame that Bartels/Scheider retired. We wanted to score a Vitaphone one-two here in Germany for our sponsors and the fans".

Andrea Bertolini: "Owing to the 100kg ballast and the problems in finding the right set up, we are very pleased. We were very consistent and have increased our lead overall. I would also like to thank Pirelli".

Karl Wendlinger: "It was difficult to overtake on this track. It didn't think I would get such a good result after qualifying. When I saw the Corvette ahead of me a few laps from the end, I pushed as much as possible and managed to overtake it".

After Spa and Bertolini/Wendlinger's victory at Magny Cours, it is the third win of the season for Maserati-Pirelli. The MC12s race in the FIA GT in Pirelli tyres, as they do in the North American ALMS series. This collaboration is further confirmation of the success of the relationship between Maserati and Pirelli. The proof of this are the wins in the Italian GT championship and the Trofeo Maserati Vodafone Europa.

Text courtesy of Maserati Press Center