Playteam take first season win
Maserati's Scuderia Playteam Sarafree took their first win of the 2007 season in Bucharest today, as Andrea Bertolini and Andrea Piccini kept their head cool in wet conditions to win the second round of the FIA GT championship
The rain started as soon as the race began, causing many drivers to spin and bringing out the safety car twice.
But Bertolini and Piccini avoided making mistakes, crossing the finish line on the Romanian street circuit some 39 seconds ahead of the Lamborghini of Bouchut/Mucke - who reclaimed the championship lead with their second place finish.
"It was a great race," Bertolini said after the race. "I am really pleased to have made the tenth podium of my career in a race where no one knew what to expect with a large car and tight chicanes.
"The Pirelli tyres were reacting well. The quality of the tyres count a lot for our team. One point at least from our points today go to Pirelli tyres."
But Playteam Sarafree's day had mixed success, as pole-sitters Giambattista Giannocaro and Alessandro Pier Guido saw their race come to a premature end with a suspension failure.
"It's a real shame because we had left from pole and the car had such a good potential," lamented Giannocaro.
Four different makes claimed the top five spots, with Maserati taking first and third positions.
First in the GT2 class - and sixth overall - was the Ferrari 430 of Dirk Muller and Toni Vilander, who claimed their third win of the season and extended their lead in the standings.
Pos Cl Drivers Car Time
1. GT1 Bertolini/Piccini Maserati MC12 GT1 2h 00:56.811
2. GT1 Bouchut/Mucke Lamborghini Murcielago + 39.713
3. GT1 Montanari/Ramos Maserati MC12 GT1 + 1:04.609
4. GT1 Wendlinger/Sharp Aston Martin DBR9 + 1:19.595
5. GT1 Kumpen/Longin Corvette C5R + 1 Lap
6. GT2 Vilander/Muller Ferrari 430 GT2 + 1 Lap
7. GT1 Gollin/Biagi Maserati MC12 GT1 + 2 Laps
8. GT2 Collard/Malucelli Porsche 997 GT3 RSR + 2 Laps
9. GT1 Davies/Babini Aston Martin DBR9 + 3 Laps
10. GT2 Lieb/Felbermayr Jr Porsche 996 GT3 RS + 3 Laps
11. G2 Kuppens/Leinders Gillet Vertigo + 3 Laps
12. GT2 Zani/Busnelli Porsche 997 GT3 RSR + 4 Laps
13. GT2 Mullen/Kirkaldy Ferrari 430 GT2 + 4 Laps
14. GT1 Cloet/Vannelet Corvette C5R + 5 Laps
15. GT2 Cressoni/Rugolo Ferrari 430 GT2 + 6 Laps
16. GT1 MacAri/Aucott Maserati MC12 GT1 + 6 Laps
17. GT2 Felbermayr Sr/Ried Porsche 996 GT3 RS + 9 Laps
18. GT1 Kutemann/Waaijenberg Maserati MC12 GT1 + 10 Laps
Not Classified:
GT1 Hezemans/Deletraz Corvette C6R 42
GT2 Edwards/MacHitski Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 42
GT1 Menten/Kox Lamborghini Murcielago 33
GT1 Pier Guidi/Giannoccaro Maserati MC12 GT1 30
GT1 Monfardini/Toccacelo Aston Martin DBR9 24
GT1 Lechner/Lichtner-Hoyer Aston Martin DBR9 10
GT1 Kessel/Case Ferrari 575 Maranello 9
GT2 Janis/Niarchos Ferrari 430 GT2 5
GT2 Ruberti/Mugelli Ferrari 430 GT2 3
Fastest Laps:
GT1: Pier Guidi/Giannoccaro, 1:27.784 on lap 8
GT2: Collard/Malucelli, 1:30.296 on lap 58
G2: Kuppens/Leinders, 1:34.241 on lap 41
Share Or Save This Story
Trackhouse MotoGP boss Brivio quits for factory Honda role in 2027
BTCC Brands Hatch: Sutton masterclass gives him qualifying race win
Marc Marquez to miss at least two MotoGP grands prix after Le Mans highside
What would you like to ask Valtteri Bottas?
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