Maserati - Infineon practice

Car :                             Maserati MC12, No. 35, chassis No.
03/15440 

Drivers:                         Andrea Bertolini, Fabrizio De Simone

Position:                       fourth, GT1 (1:31.347)

Weather:                       92 F, clear, sunny 

Circuit length:                2.53 miles

 

Maserati and Pirelli combined for a strong start to the American Le Mans
Series race weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Italian drivers
Andrea Bertolini and Fabrizio De Simone posted the fourth-fastest GT1 lap
time on Thursday, pacing the No. 35 Maserati MC12 around the 2.53-mile road
course in one minute 31.347 seconds. They benefitted from a new tire
compound, changes to the car's aerodynamic setup and a rule change that
allows an increase in the size of the engine air restrictors.

 

Maserati competes with an MC12 in compliance with the rules of IMSA and
matches FIA GT1 specifications. The team will not score points for the ALMS
championship. The drivers are Italians Andrea Bertolini, Ferrari-Maserati
official test driver, and Fabrizio De Simone.

 

Giorgio Ascanelli, technical director, Maserati Corse:  "We appreciate the
effort that IMSA is making in achieving the balance of performance in the
ALMS championship, which is rightly dominated by the Corvettes because of
the good job they've done. This effectively is worth the effort that
Maserati has been putting into this racing program, which is sustained in
every race of the ALMS championship. Maserati is proud to race on American
soil."

 

Andrea Bertolini: “Every race is a chance for our team to improve the car.
Today, we tried a new aero package, the restrictor was one setting back and
the tire is a new compound. Every race is important for us for development
and every time, we close the gap to Corvette. It's very positive. We had a
very good first hour of free practice and I hope we continue tomorrow with
development of the car and the tires."

 

Fabrizio De Simone:  "It's my first time at this track. It's very nice to
drive. The main thing is to keep the right line every time and never force
braking or force going off-throttle."


The participation of Maserati in the ALMS has been made possible thanks to
the fundamental co-operation of important partners, including Pirelli and
team Risi Competizione, that support Maserati logistically. 

The MC12 is using Pirelli Racing P Zero tires, developed in 2004 and
currently used on an exclusive basis in the FIA GT Championship. The
successful cooperation between Maserati and Pirelli continues in the
American Le Mans Series.