Phoenix Aston wins final round
Andrea Piccini and Jean-Denis Deletraz sealed the runners-up slot in the FIA GT drivers' championship by taking a hard-fought victory at Dubai in the final round of the series
Their Phoenix Aston Martin DBR9 came home ahead of the Corvette C6.R of Mike Hezemans, Bert Longin and Anthony Kumpen, which at one point had led the race.
Completing the podium was the Maserati MC12 of Jamie Davies and Thomas Biagi, who put in a fantastic effort to take third despite carrying 105kg of ballast.
"We knew this circuit suited the Aston Martin and the Michelin tyres," said Piccini. "We were sure we would get on the front row, but although qualifying went badly, we were still confident for the race.
"We took it easy at the start and the car in front made some mistakes so I could give it over to Jean-Denis in first place."
Despite coming under serious pressure from the Corvette, the Phoenix drivers held on and were guaranteed victory when Hezemans took a splash and dash with ten minutes to go.
Drivers' championship winners Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini finished down in 11th place after their third driver Eric van de Poele was involved in an incident with a GT2 car.
The pole-sitting Larbre Competition Ferrari 550 Maranello - which was running in the G2 class and not eligible for points - was made to start the race from the pit lane after a stewards' decision shortly before the start. This left the DBR9 of Fabio Babini controlling the race start, although he lost his early lead by lap eight and finished fourth. The Larbre car finished in seventh place, three laps down.
Tim Mullen and Chris Niarchos took the GT2 class win in their Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari 430 after a storming drive from Mullen, finishing ahead of pair of AF Corse Ferraris.
Results
Pos Drivers Make Time
1. Deletraz/Piccini Aston Martin DBR9 3h 01:50.016
2. Longin/Kumpen/Hezemans Corvette C6R + 49.964
3. Davies/Biagi/Vosse Maserati MC12 GT1 + 1:13.571
4. Malucelli/Babini Aston Martin DBR9 + 1:48.301
5. Wendlinger/Peter/Janis Aston Martin DBR9 + 1 lap
6. Gollin/Ramos Aston Martin DBR9 + 1 lap
7. Gardel/Zacchia/Makowiecki Ferrari 550 Maranello + 3 laps
8. Niarchos/Mullen Ferrari 430 GT2 + 4 laps
9. Vilander/Melo Ferrari 430 GT2 + 4 laps
10. Salo/Aguas Ferrari 430 GT2 + 4 laps
11. Bartels/Bertolini/VD Poele Maserati MC12 GT1 + 4 laps
12. Bleekemolen/Kane Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R + 4 laps
13. Sugden/Alexander Ferrari 430 GT2 + 4 laps
14. Collard/Rockenfeller Porsche 996 GT3 RSR + 4 laps
15. Moccia/Busnelli Porsche 996 GT3 RSR + 5 laps
16. Ried/Felbermayr Jr Porsche 996 GT3 RSR + 5 laps
17. Pirri/Seiler Aston Martin DBRS9 + 8 laps
18. Kinch/Franchitti Ferrari 430 GT2 + 8 laps
19. Garbagnati/Kutemann Ferrari 430 GT2 + 8 laps
20. Lichtner-Hoyer/Gruber Porsche 996 GT3 RSR + 8 laps
21. Comar/Rambeaud/Mhitarian Ferrari 430 Challenge + 12 laps
22. Bert/Montermini/Menten Saleen S7R + 15 laps
23. Felbermayr/Ried Porsche 996 GT3 RS + 18 laps
Not Classified
Kox/Dumbreck Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R D.N.F.
Konopka/Rosina Porsche 996 GT3 RS D.N.F.
Leinders/Kuppens Gillet Vertigo D.N.F.
Zlobin/Zani/Benucci Aston Martin DBRS9 D.N.F.
Share Or Save This Story
Phoenix Racing won't continue with Audi in new DTM era
Duval apologises for radio outburst over Phoenix tyre call in wet Assen race
Why the Phoenix has to rise again
Hill's 1996 F1 title - in Autosport covers
Bottas' mental health column is brutal, but also shows how F1 is changing
What does the future behold for M-Sport and partner Ford in the WRC?
Aprilia opens new development path in MotoGP at Jerez test
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments