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MASERATI MAINTAINS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD WITH ANOTHER DOUBLE PODIUM FINISH
Maserati and its drivers have maintained their leads in the FIA GT World Championship after double podium finish at the German round of the series at Oschersleben at the weekend (21 June 2009).
In an action packed race in the rain, the battle for the lead started with a collision at the start when Wendlinger's Saleen hit Mueller's Maserati MC12 no. 2, which had set off from pole position, and his car in turn collided with Maassen's Corvette. The worst off in the impact was the Dutchman who was forced to return to the pits, and Mueller who found himself in last place, while Bertolini lost two positions. At that point Mueller managed an incredible recovery, performing an amazing driving stint that enabled him to climb to second place by the first pit stop.
It started raining right as the drivers were switching over, which forced everyone to change to rain tires. The rain intensified, causing numerous cars to run off track.
At the end the first car to make it to the finish line was Kumpen/Hezemans's Corvette, which took advantage of a lengthy central stint, stopping only once to refuel.
Alex Mueller: "I think I started off well, but then I found myself sandwiched between two vehicles. Nevertheless, I was driving a perfect car, which enabled me to recover well after helping me to get pole position yesterday. The race was difficult and we are happy to have finished it on the podium and to have improved our score".
The next race is on 25 July in Spa, Belgium, which will host the Total 24 Hours. The event will see the debut of the Maserati GranTurismo MC - exhibited here at Oschersleben–and its debut in the GT4 championship.
RACE RESULTS:
1) Kumpen/Hezemans (Corvette Z06)
2) Bartels/Bertolini (Maserati MC12)
3) Ramos/Mueller (Maserati MC12)
DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP:
1)Bartels/Bertolini -26 points
2) Kumpen/Hezemans -23 points
3) Maassen - 15 points
4) Longin/Ruffier - Ramos/Mueller 12 points
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MaseratiAustralia and New Zealand / E:
Edward Rowe
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Maserati Australia and New Zealand / Mob: +61 407 913 244
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Release Number: Maserati_237
Date of release: 10/22/2018 7:18:40 PM