Jarama FIA GTs: Ferrari strolls to victory

"I didn't push very hard at the beginning as I didn't know how the tyres would be," said Piccini. "It was the first time I had driven with a full tank of fuel, so I had to push but try to keep the tyres. After a while the car was more neutral to drive, so it was easier. However, a lot of the cars were difficult to overtake. The last stint was a lot better. We had made the gap and just had to control it. The car was perfect, and the Michelin tyres were very constant."

After two successive retirements, second place came as welcome relief for Hezemans and Lumpen, although they admitted that Ferrari's new rear wing meant the 550 was practically unbeatable this weekend. Third place went to the Labre Viper of Christophe Bouchunt and David Terrien, continuing their terrific run of four straight podium finishes.

Lister's Jamie Campell-Walter continues to lead the championship after coming home sixth. The Brit never ran higher than third during the race, but an extra fuel stop with 20 minutes of the race remaining ended any hopes of a podium finish. The sister Lister of Bobby Verdon-Roe and Paul Knapfield retired in the first hour with clutch failure.

"Sometimes you get just sixth place!" said Campbell-Walter. "It was very hard doing one hour and 20 minutes, especially in a car with the engine in the front. I feel alright from the driving - it is my feet that are the problem. The car and tyres were okay, but we were so far behind fifth that there was no way of catching them. We are still leading the championship, having finished in the points every race, so we cannot complain."

Polesitter Stephane Ortelli and co-driver Sascha Massan cruised to victory in N-GT in their Porsche 996 GT-R. They were comfortably the quickest car in the class and the result moves Ortelli into second place in the drivers' standings. The championship continues to be led by Christian Pescatori and Andrea Montermini, who came through from seventh on the grid to take second in the race in their Ferrari 360 Modena.


Piccini/Deletraz Ferrari 550 Maranello 3h00m53.940s
Hezemans/Kumpen Chrysler Viper GTS-R +33.720s
Bouchut/Terrien Chrysler Viper GTS-R +1m12.082s
Vosse/Rosenblad Chrysler Viper GTS-R +1 lap
Belmondo/Gosselin Chrysler Viper GTS-R +2 laps
Campbell-Walter/Springer Lister Storm +2 laps


Ortelli/Maassen Porsche 996 GT3-R 3h02m25.610s
Montermini/Pescatori Ferrari 360 Modena +1 lap
Fertl/Garcia Porsche 996 GT3-R +1 lap