Fantastic one-two for the Maserati MC12s at Oschersleben

A great Maserati one-two brought the third round of the FIA GT at Oschersleben (Germany) to a close on 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 Trident cars outclassed the Aston Martin of Deletraz-Piccini, the Saleen driven by Bert-Janis and the other Aston driven by Gollin-Babini. With this result, Bartels and Bertolini move to the top of the drivers' standings and Maserati stays in second position in the 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 a 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 position. 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 Spa Francorchamps 24 Hours (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."

Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa 2006 – The fourth round of the Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa was also held at the German circuit of Oschersleben. The race order at the chequered flag was Diego Alessi, the Albert Thurn Und Taxis-Horst Von Saurma duo and Moz Fabris. But because Alessi did not take to the track with his usual co-driver Francesco Ravasio and Thurn Und Taxis-Von Saurma were at the wheel of the Toora VIP Car, Fabris reached the top spot, followed by the young crew of Nicolò Oddi-Giacomo Ricci and Philip Burgan.

Reigning champion Alberto Cerrai was forced to retire on lap 13, after his car suffered electrical problems. Moz Fabris is the new leader of the Trofeo Maserati with 90 points, followed by Cerrai (66) and De Megni (44), who maintains third place over Oddi and Zenere. For Fabris, Oschersleben was the second win of the season following his recent triumph at Brno (Czech Republic).

These successes add to the two second places at Monza and Silverstone. The Oschersleben race saw Oddi and Ricci shine. Starting from row two, the pair could have claimed second overall (the first position valid for the classification) if a drive through penalty on lap 31 had not seen them slip behind Fabris. The penalty was handed down after they exceeded the pit lane speed limit. For Oddi and Ricci, the season is turning out well with their sixth place at Silverstone and fourth at Brno.

Alessi held the lead throughout having started from pole. Behind him there was a duel between Zenere, De Megni and German rap singer 'Smudo', and also between Vescovi and De Megni, until both spun on lap 13.

Supermodel Jodie Kidd also made a welcome return to the paddock, sharing a drive with French gentleman driver Jean Coulomb. They finished 8th overall.

Among the VIP cars, as well as Thurn Und Taxis-Von Saurma's first place (Toora), second went to Zenere (Isoclima, 6th overall), third was Pizzicannella (AutoSprint, 7th overall) and fourth De Megni (Pakelo, 10th). German rapper 'Smudo', in the Audemars Piguet VIP car, was forced to retire after clipping another car. He had lined up on the fourth row of the grid.