A great Maserati one-two brought the third round of the FIA GT at Oschersleben (Germany) to a close today (Sunday 2 July). First and second went to the Maserati MC12s driven by Bartels-Bertolini and Davies-Biagi in the Vitaphone Racing Team cars. At the end of the three hour race, the Tridents outclassed the Aston Martin of Deletraz-Piccini, the Saleen driven by Bert-Janis and Gollin-Babini's Aston Martin. With this result, Bartels and Bertolini move to the top of the drivers' standings and Maserati stays in the second of Manufacturers Cup. For Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini, Oschersleben is the second win of the season and comes on the heels of the Silverstone victory in round one.

Michael Bartels maintained his pole once the green light came on. He extended his lead over the chasing group led by Bert-Janis' Saleen and the Aston Martin driven by Deletraz-Piccini. The second Maserati MC12, with Englishman Jamie Davies at the wheel, started from the seventh row (14th) after being hit with penalty handed down at Brno. However, he climbed seven places in one lap and then engaged in a duel with the Aston Martin driven by Pescatori-Ramos (overtaken on lap four) and Gollin-Babini (overtaken on lap six). On lap eight, Davies swept past the Aston Martin with Wendlinger-Peter on board to move into fifth behind Longin-Kumpen-Hezemans (Corvette).

The first Maserati MC12 to make a stop was that driven by Davies on lap 45. Replacing him was the Italian Thomas Biagi. Michael Bartels followed into the pits to hand over to Andrea Bertolini on lap 46. The places remained more or less unchanged with Bertolini leading and Biagi having moved into fourth and duelling for third with Janis-Bert. The second hour saw many of the back markers being lapped. Bertolini still led and Biagi was still fighting for a podium place. After the second pit stop, made by Biagi on lap 84 and Bertolini on 90, the two Maseratis were in first and second with Bartels and Davies back in the driving seat and heading for the finish line.

The next FIA GT championship race will take place on 29-30 July with the fascinating 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps (Belgium).

"It was not an easy race", declared Andrea Bertolini. "When I took the wheel for the second stint, I tried to maintain the advantage we had built up. The track had less grip owing to the high temperatures. I had to take care in the pack with the back markers and we managed to stay in the lead even after the pit stops. It was great race".

"We had to fight from start to finish", stated Jamie Davies. "This was because we started from row seven and I don't know how many times Biagi and I overtook. Aside from the back markers, we attacked and defended well, even over the last few laps when we had the Deletraz and Piccini Aston Martin on our tails. All this was thanks to a perfect MC12, a superb team and excellent Pirelli tyres".

FIA GT Champioship, final classification at Oschersleben (Germany):
1. Bartels-Bertolini (Maserati MC12) 125 laps in 3h01'11"822
2. Davies-Biagi (Maserati MC12) + 14"363
3. Deletraz-Piccini (Aston Martin) + 19"780
4. Bert-Janis (Saleen) + 27"827
5. Gollin-Babini (Aston Martin) + 1'01"514
6. Ramos-Pescatori (Aston Martin) + 1 lap FIA GT

Championship for Drivers (after three races):
1. Bartels and Bertolini 25;
3. Janis and Bert 23;
5. Piccini and Deletraz 17;
7. Babini and Gollin 16;
9. Davies and Biagi 14.

FIA GT Championship Manufacturers Cup:
1. Aston Martin 44;
2. Maserati 39;
3. Saleen 24

Text courtesy of Maserati Press Center