Date: 15 September 2006

FIA GT Championship - Perfect "Trident" with three MC12s on the track

Circuit: Mugello, length 5,245 km Meteo: clear, air temperature 25° C Cars: - n° 1: Maserati MC12 Vitaphone Racing Team; chassis n° 15439 Drivers: Andrea Bertolini (I) . (D) - n° 2: Maserati MC12 Vitaphone Racing Team; chassis n° 15443 Drivers: Jamie Davies (UK) . (I) - n° 40: Maserati MC12 Playteam; chassis n° 22797 Drivers: Giambattista Giannoccaro (I) . Toni Vilander (FIN) . Alessandro Pierguidi (I)

The FIA GT championship heads into the seventh round of the season this weekend at Mugello. Today, Friday 15 September, the first free practice session was held. Taking part were three Maserati MC12s. There will be two Vitaphone Racing Team cars appearing, driven by leaders Michael Bartels-Andrea Bertolini with the second crew formed by Jamie Davies- Thomas Biagi. The other MC12 is fielded by Playteam and will be driven by Giambattista Giannoccaro-Toni Vilander-Alessandro Pierguidi, a car that races in, and leads, the Italian GT series. At the end of the free practice session, Davies-Biagi had set the third fastest time overall (1.49.864). Giannoccaro-Vilander- Pierguidi (1.50.138) were a fine fifth, followed by Bartels- Bertolini (1.50.159). Bert-Montermini-Janis ( S7 R, 1.49.013) and Deletraz-Piccini (Aston Martin DBR9, 1.49.013) filled the top two places. Tomorrow, Saturday 16 September, the second free practice session will be held (9.40-11.10). The hour long qualifying stint is timed for 15.30 with the three hour race to be held on Sunday 17 at 13.30.

FIA GT Championship for Drivers (after six races): 1. Bartels and Bertolini 49; 3. Piccini and Deletraz 44; 5. Bert 37; 6. Janis 36; 7. Babini 31; 8. Davies and Biagi 30; 10. Hezemans, Longin and Kumpen 24; 13. Gollin 23,5; 14. Lemeret, Fassler and Van de Poele 18

Teams: 1. Vitaphone Racing Team 65; 2. BMS 38,5; 3. Phoenix Motorsport 38; 4. Zakspeed 32; 5. GLPK Carsport 24.

Manufacturers: 1. Aston Martin 106; 2. Maserati 79; 3. Corvette 41; 4. Saleen 38; 5. Lamborghini 4