Circuit: "Hungaroring" Budapest, length 4,381 mt
Weather: clean, air temperature 25°
Car: n°1 Maserati MC 12; chassis n°15439
Drivers: Andrea Bertolini (I) - Michael Bartels (D)
n° 2 Maserati MC 12; chassis n° 15443
Drivers: Jamie Davies (UK) - Thomas Biagi (I)

With yesterday's first free practice session, the eighth round of the FIA GT International championship got underway. The series sees the participation of two Maserati MC12s fielded by the Vitaphone Racing team. In the driving seat are Bertolini-Michael Bartels and Jamie Davies-Thomas Biagi.

The two Maserati MC12s closed out this session by clocking the fourth and fifth fastest times with Bertolini-Bartels (1.44.889) leading Davies-Biagi (1.45.122). The best time was set by the Saleen S7R with Bert-Montermini-Janis on board, in 1.44.074. Second went to the Aston Martin DBR9 with Deletraz-Piccini at the wheel (1.44.171). The Maseratis managed to do well despite the hindrance of a weight handicap. Bertolini and Bartels have an extra 85 kg to deal with (25 assigned by the FIA following the results of the 2005 championship and 60 kg as a consequence of this season's finishes). Davies and Biagi, on the other hand, have 105 kg of ballast on board.

The Hungarian circuit has not hosted the FIA GT championship since 2001 and will be a novelty for many of the cars taking part this weekend. During the session, the drivers and technicians from the Vitaphone Racing Team worked on the set up for the race, adjusting the suspension and aerodynamic load. By the end a good balance had been reached.

The second 90 minute free practice session of the Budapest weekend will take place today (Saturday 30 September) from 9.00 to 10.30 with qualifying held for twenty minutes between 15.00-15.20. The race is programmed for Sunday at 13.30.

FIA GT championship: first free practice at Hungaroring

1. Bert-Montermini-Janis (Saleen S7R) 1.44.074; 2. Deletraz-Piccini (Aston Martin DBR9) + 0.097; 3. Longin-Kumpen-Hezemans (Corvette C6R) + 0.113 4. Bartels-Bertolini(Maserati MC12) +0.815; 5. Davies-Biagi (Maserati MC 12) + 1.048;

FIA GT drivers' championship (after seven races):

1. Bartels and Bertolini 57; 2. Piccini e Deletraz 47; 3. Bert 43; 4. Janis 41; 5. Davies e Biagi 36; 6. Babini 35; 7. Wendlinger e Peter 28.5; 8. Hezemans, Kumpen, Longin. 26; 9 Pescatori 24; 10. Gollin 23.5

Team championship:

1. Vitaphone Racing Team 93; 2. Aston Martin Racing BMS 47.5; 3. Phoenix Racing 47; 4. Zakspeed 42; 5. Race Alliance 28.5