Three Maserati MC12s sped into the first three positions in the GT1 class. A pole place was also claimed in the Citation Cup to complete an exceptional day's results in the qualifying session at Bucharest. The session was held in late afternoon on a dry track.

The Playteam Sarafree MC12s held an internal duel over pole. In the end it was Alessandro Pier Guidi (1'14"214) who got the better of Andrea Bertolini (1'14"587). This was Pier Guidi's, first pole in the FIA GT, a placing he obtained, in part, because of the performance of his Pirelli tyres. They proved to be consistent and held up very well in all the sessions held on the circuit. This is also the first time that Playteam Sarafree has occupied both front row spots.

Third was taken by Christian Montanari, at the wheel of the Vitaphone Racing Team MC12. The driver from San Marino raced an error-free lap (1'14"697), that puts him in a good position for the race.

Bucharest, Race 20th May 2007

Maserati triumphs in Bucharest and moves to the head of the Constructors' championship

Bertolini/Piccini performed brilliantly in the third round of the FIA GT championship. The race was held in rainy conditions on the city circuit of Bucharest. It was fine result, one topped off by the third place taken by Ramos/Montanari and Biagi/Gollin in sixth. This allowed Maserati to move to the top of the Constructors' standings. Today saw the Scuderia Playteam Sarafree score its first win in the FIA GT. Victory came courtesy of a strategy assured by the efficiency and consistency of the Pirelli tyres. Their performance meant that the Italian duo did not have to change tyres during the entire two hour race.

Driving rain fell throughout the race, one in which the MC12 was always in the action. At the start, Alessandro Pier Guidi set the fastest lap (1'27"784 on lap eight) before handing over to Giambattista Giannoccaro. He, unfortunately, was to come off worse in a clash with a GT2 car and forced to retire.

At the halfway stage, Piccini claimed first place from Wendlinger and held it until it was time for the driver changes. Bertolini still held a big enough lead coming out of the pits to hold off the pack until the end. He crossed the line 39"713 ahead of the Lamborghini of Bouchut/Mucke and 1'04"609 of Ramos/Montanari Maserati MC12. The crew in the number 2 MC12 demonstrated that they could compete during the weekend. They ended the race in third place despite making two stops and a drive through. It was the first podium in the FIA GT for both Montanari and Ramos.

Biagi/Gollin took sixth place overall. At the halfway stage their strategy had taken them to second. The pairing managed to fulfil their pre-race ambition to get the car to the finish and win podium points. The 40kg ballast and a few errors prevented them from bettering sixth.

In the Citation Cup, second and third went to the two MC12s fielded by JMB Racing Team. In the cars were Macari/Aucott and Kutemann/Waaijenberg.

Maserati moves to the top of the Constructors' series with this result (42 points). Next come Chevrolet Corvette (37) and Aston Martin (20). The Vitaphone Racing Team increased its advantage in the team standings (27 points compared to the 18 earned by All-Inkl.com Racing).

Andrea Bertolini: "It was a team victory. In conditions like today's a great strategy is important and it is crucial not to make mistakes. From this point of view, both Andrea and I drove perfectly. The team was also excellent. Today's result was also down to Pirelli as we managed to get through the race without changing tyres. Despite this, we were easily able to hold off the others, even at the end. This is a significant result in terms of the championship that, as I stated after qualifying, we want to win again".

Andrea Piccini: "I think that Bertolini and I raced well as the conditions were really tough. The Pirelli tyres were exceptional and the car was spot on. After a difficult start to the season, this win is what was needed. I hope to repeat the feat at Monza in our home race, even though we know that it will be difficult due to the balast we will have on our MC12".

Christian Montanari: "It was a deserved podium as we were quick and consistent over the whole weekend. The drive through meant that we could not improve our placing. Having said this, I am very happy. A city circuit is tough enough in the dry and so it was not easy with so much water on the surface; we are extremely satisfied".

FIA GT Championship: final results at "Bucharest Ring"
  1. Bertolini/Piccini - GT1 (Maserati MC12) 72 laps in 2:00:56.811secs
  2. Mucke/Bouchut - GT1 (Lamborghini Murcielago) +39.713secs
  3. Ramos/Montanari - GT1 (Maserati MC12) +1min 04.609secs
  7. Gollin/Biagi - GT1 (Maserati MC12) +2 laps
16. Macari/Aucott - GT1 CC (Maserati MC12) +6 laps
18. Waaijenberg/Kutemann - GT1 CC (Maserati MC12) +10 laps
22. Giannoccaro/Guidi - GT1 (Maserati MC12) 30 laps completed DNF

Fastest laps:
Giannoccaro/Guidi (Maserati MC12) 1min 27.784secs GT1
Macari/Aucott (Maserati MC12) 1min 35.978secs GT1 CC