Michael Bartels and Thomas Biagi claimed an excellent second place in the Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12 in the fifth round of the FIA GT. The race was held at the German circuit of Oschersleben. From ninth on the grid, the Italo-German crew raced consistently and were up to second by the halfway stage.

The Maserati MC12's second place was the result of a well thought-out strategy as Bartels, who qualified the car yesterday, made only one long pit stop. This one-stop tactic meant that he overhauled many other drivers. Bartels got back behind the wheel forty-five minutes from the end and finished on the same lap as Kumpen and Longin's Corvette C5-R.

The team's work on the balance of the car in qualifying, together with a solid warm up session this morning (with a time just 0"089 off the fastest), paid off and allowed Bartels and Biagi to play starring roles.


The fourth place taken by Andrea Bertolini and Andrea Piccini, in the Scuderia Playteam Sarafree Maserati MC12, also stood out. Bertolini and Piccini confirmed their qualifying performance to scoop valuable championship points. The MC12 fielded by Scuderia Playteam Sarafree did very well throughout, partly thanks to the Pirelli tyres on a track were it is crucial to settle into a rhythm. Midway through the race, the Italian team's MC12 was in seventh, ahead of Pier Guidi and Giannoccaro in the twin car that eventually crossed the line in sixth.

The other Vitaphone Racing Team MC12, driven by Miguel Ramos and Christian Montanari, came home in 15th spot. A clash with Bouchut's Lamborghini Murcielago forced Miguel Ramos - who had just substituted Montanari - to make a lengthy pit stop to replace part of the suspension. Even so, the MC12 stormed back to set a series of quick lap times despite have an extra 50kg imposed by the Federation on board.

Joe Macari and Ben Aucott also did well in the JMB Racing MC12 to take tenth overall and win the Citation Cup. With today's result in the bag, the English pairing move to the top of the classification reserved to non-professional drivers. Antoine Gosse and Peter Kutemann, in the second JMB Racing MC12, closed out the race in 17th place.

The overall standings see Thomas Biagi just a point down on Anthony Kumpen and Bert Longin. In the Teams' championship, the Vitaphone Racing Team continue to enjoy a big lead over their competitors while Playteam Sarafree, with today's fine display, bring home eight points to give them third place. Maserati, in the Manufacturers' Cup, has a 15 point advantage and holds number one spot.