Circuit: Dubai, lenght 5,394 km
Weather: clear, air temperature 30° C
Cars:
- n° 1: Maserati MC12; chassis n° 15439 Drivers: Andrea Bertolini (I) - Michael Bartels (D) - Eric van de Poele (BEL)
- n° 2: Maserati MC12; chassis n° 15443 Drivers: Jamie Davies (UK) - Thomas Biagi (I) - Vincent Vosse (BEL)

The tenth and last round of the 2006 FIA championship will be held tomorrow (Saturday 18 November) at the Dubai circuit in the United Arab Emirates. The two Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12s will be composed of three drivers for the occasion. These will be the same as those who disputed the 24 Hour of Spa-Francorchamps. In the number 1 MC12 will be German Michael Bartels, Italian Andrea Bertolini and Belgian Eric van de Poele (winners of the 24 Hour). In the number 2 car will be Englishman Jamie Davies, Italian Thomas Biagi and Belgian Vincent Vosse.

At the end of today's (Friday 17 November) qualifying sessions, the Maserati MC12s claimed places on the third and fourth rows with Bertolini (fifth fastest in 1¿56"430) and Davies (seventh, 1¿56"861). In pole position was the Makowicki-Zacchia-Gardel crew (Ferrari 550, 1¿55"987).


With 70 and 80 kg of ballast assigned to the two Maserati MC12s, they will not find it easy to close out the season with another win. Nonetheless, for drivers Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels and for the Vitaphone Racing Team, Dubai is a spectacular chance to sign off in style. The Drivers' title has already been won by the Italo-German team (at the Adria circuit with a race to spare) and the team title went to the Maserati outfit at the end of the eighth round at Budapest (Hungary).

A fine performance is expected after the second place obtained by Bartels' Maserati in the last race in the Emirates.

The race (3 hours or 500 km) will start tomorrow, Saturday 18 November, at 14.30 local time (+3 h. GMT).

Andrea Bertolini:
"It would be wonderful to finish the championship with a victory. Following the Drivers' title won early at Adria, ending with another win would be a great gift to Maserati, Pirelli and all our supporters. However, until the chequered flag is flown, we will keep our feet firmly on the ground also, the extra 70 kilos will not help! Qualifying went well considering that the track is not easy and that we made our run as dusk fell".

Jamie Davies:
"We knew we would be hindered by the ballast in qualifying. We were also unsure as to whether we would set a quick lap as I lost precious tenths stuck behind slower cars and then the yellow flag came out on my last lap".

FIA GT Championship, qualifying in Dubai:
1. Makowiecki-Zacchia-Gardel (Ferrari 550) 1'55"987; 2. Babini-Malucelli (Aston Martin DBR9) 1'56"067; 3. Gollin-Ramos (Aston Martin DBR9) 1'56"076; 5. Bertolini-Bartels-Van de Poele (Maserati MC12) 1'56"430 7. Davies-Biagi-Vosse (Maserati MC12) 1'56"881

FIA GT Championship for Drivers after 9 races:
1. Bartolini and Bartels 69; 3. Bert 55; 4. Janis 54; 5. Piccini, Deletraz 52; 7. Davies and Biagi 48; 8. Babini 46; 9. Hezemans, Kumpen, Longin, 40

Teams:
1. Maserati Vitaphone Racing Team 117; 2. Aston Martin Racing BMS 65,5; 3. Zakspeed 55

Manufacturers:
1. Aston Martin 151; 2. Maserati 117; 3. Saleen e Corvette 57