For the 2006 season, the Vitaphone Racing Team will be continuing its successful FIA GT Championship involvement. As in 2005, the team will be entering two Maserati MC 12s for Michael Bartels, Andrea Bertolini, Thomas Biagi and Jamie Davies.

This year, Ferrari’s Formula One test driver Andrea Bertolini and England ‘s Jamie Davies have been signed to team-up with the team’s regulars, Michael Bartels and Thomas Biagi. Neither new drivers are unfamiliar with the MC 12, as Bertolini was involved in the development of the sports car’s racing version – while Davies made his debut as Vitaphone Racing team driver in the 2005 Spa-Francorchamps 24-Hour Race, as team-mate of the 2003 FIA GT Champion, Thomas Biagi. One of his biggest successes so far was winning the 2004 Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) title as Audi driver.


Stability is a must for the Vitaphone Racing Team, which has opted for evolution instead of revolution. During extensive testing in the off-season, the optimisation of the Maserati MC 12 was successfully continued, with a special focus being set on the Pirelli tyres the Butzbach based team once again is going to rely on, in the 2006 season.

“The Vitaphone Racing Team delivered in fine style, in its first full season with the Maserati MC 12,” says Maserati Motorsport Director Claudio Berro. “While doing so, the team consistently enhanced and refined the car. For 2006 we have set ourselves the goal to tie in with our previous successes. Yet, the competition will be clearly stronger than in the past two years.”

Rafael Calafell, Director of the Vitaphone Racing Team, is confident: “We succeeded in creating an extraordinary package for the forthcoming season and will give our very best to defend our title in the team ranking. Furthermore, we have signed a top class driver line-up that has got what it needs to also secure the Drivers’ Championship.”

Vitaphone’s Managing Director, Matthias Quinger, adds: “Vitaphone has been involved in motor racing for five years – with the success increasing consistently. We succeeded in improving our company’s publicity and are truly happy with what we’ve achieved so far. Still, I hope that we will be able to crown our 2006 involvement with the drivers’ title.”