Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
2008 Spa win
Autosport Plus
Special feature

The unwanted GT car that changed sportscar racing forever

Had FIA GT boss Stephane Ratel had his way, the Maserati MC12 would never have been allowed to set foot in his series. It duly proved the class of the field that most had expected, but the Balance of Performance that its superiority spawned would keep GT1 battles tight and bring long-term benefits that sportscar racing enjoys today

It all started above an ice-cream shop in Maranello. The Maserati MC12, a car that won titles in five consecutive years, claimed three Spa 24 Hours victories in five attempts and came to define its era – and which could have fallen through the cracks of history without Max Mosley’s intervention – started life in a discreet apartment building in 2002.

“The first time we had a meeting with them, basically Maserati Corse was just three guys,” recalls Nicola Scimeca, who headed up the racing version’s development at Dallara.

Previous article What could have been: How Panoz almost missed out on its talisman
Next article Aston Martin to make full-factory GT3 entry in NLS

More from James Newbold

How motorsport is embracing the opportunities of AI

How motorsport is embracing the opportunities of AI

Plus
Plus
MISC General
How motorsport is embracing the opportunities of AI How motorsport is embracing the opportunities of AI
Friday favourite: Why F1's original circuit retains its thrilling appeal

Friday favourite: Why F1's original circuit retains its thrilling appeal

F1 Formula 1
Friday favourite: Why F1's original circuit retains its thrilling appeal Friday favourite: Why F1's original circuit retains its thrilling appeal
Verschoor loses Jeddah F2 sprint win to tech breach, Hauger inherits victory

Verschoor loses Jeddah F2 sprint win to tech breach, Hauger inherits victory

F2 FIA F2
Jeddah
Verschoor loses Jeddah F2 sprint win to tech breach, Hauger inherits victory Verschoor loses Jeddah F2 sprint win to tech breach, Hauger inherits victory
Friday favourite: The Dallara that triggered Reynard’s F3 exodus

Friday favourite: The Dallara that triggered Reynard’s F3 exodus

BF3 BF3
Friday favourite: The Dallara that triggered Reynard’s F3 exodus Friday favourite: The Dallara that triggered Reynard’s F3 exodus
FIA reveals plans to focus hydrogen storage development in liquid form

FIA reveals plans to focus hydrogen storage development in liquid form

MISC General
FIA reveals plans to focus hydrogen storage development in liquid form FIA reveals plans to focus hydrogen storage development in liquid form
The new combinations to look out for as GT3 arrives in the WEC

The new combinations to look out for as GT3 arrives in the WEC

Plus
Plus
WEC WEC
Losail Prologue
The new combinations to look out for as GT3 arrives in the WEC The new combinations to look out for as GT3 arrives in the WEC
Friday favourite: The Ferrari partners that conquered GT racing

Friday favourite: The Ferrari partners that conquered GT racing

GT GT
Friday favourite: The Ferrari partners that conquered GT racing Friday favourite: The Ferrari partners that conquered GT racing
How Toyota has helped its new LMGT3 partner team in WEC transition from Mercedes

How Toyota has helped its new LMGT3 partner team in WEC transition from Mercedes

WEC WEC
How Toyota has helped its new LMGT3 partner team in WEC transition from Mercedes How Toyota has helped its new LMGT3 partner team in WEC transition from Mercedes

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe