Championship leader Scuderia Playteam SaraFree to fight for title at Italian race

Scuderia Playteam SaraFree heads to the penultimate weekend of the season and two races at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale in Monza that may be decisive for International GT Open season 2008.

The two Ferraris F430 of Scuderia Playteam SaraFree are in the top three of the provisional standings but the Autorlando Porsche 997 of reigning champion Richard Lietz and Gianluca Roda separates them, two points behind the leader.

In first and third positions in the championship with the Italian pair of Maceratesi-Montermini on 133 points and the Portuguese duo of Giao-Couceiro on 122 points Scudria Playteam Sarafree drivers are determined to fight it out this weekend at Monza.

The "Romania, piacere di conoscerti" (in English "Romania pleased to know you") Information campaign will continue at Monza on Saturday morning with a press conference from Team owner and founder Giambattista Giannoccaro, Italian driver Andrea Montermini and a testimonial of the project from Romanian actress Ramona Badescu.

This program is an initiative arising from a Romanian Government request to improve dialogue with the Romanian community living in different European countries as well as Italy. It is developed throughout the country by the advertising and global communications agency Playteam employing different advertising platforms such TV, print media and the web.

In addition, the drivers will be wearing badges with the campaign slogan. It will also be posted on the walls of the garage as well as being displayed on the transporter and on the 2 Ferrari F430s.

Pedro Couceiro commented, "The podium at Monza is the goal as there are only four races to the end and we want to fight until Barcelona, the last race of the Championship. It won't be easy because there are thirty-five cars which have been entered for the Monza GT Open and many drivers are very strong.

 We have a very good car and the right team to help us get to the top. More than ever we want to keep doing everything possible to help Scuderia Playteam win the Championship. I like Monza, it looks easy but it is tricky and you need the right set-up."

Manuel Giao commented, "I am very motivated for this race and have always had good results in Monza. We are only 11 points from the leaders and we want to show to everyone that the Ferrari from Scuderia Playteam SaraFree is the best GT2 in the world. It will be important not to make a mistake even with the 5' penalty for race 1."

Andrea Montermini commented, "We have done our homework and are well prepared for this penultimate race of the season in Monza. The fight is interesting and has been getting harder at every round this season. We need to be perfect this weekend.

It is not easy and very close because the Porsche is so strong behind us. With my teammate Michele, we need to simply make the most out of the fast straight lines on the track and drive to perfection."

Michele Maceratesi commented, "I like the Monza track, a true temple of speed. We want to finish the season on a perfect note. Even if leading by two points, we want to show that we deserve to be the leaders in the Championship. We have only one goal: Keep it this was till the end of the championship."

The Pro-Am and GT Open races, which will both run on a 50-minute format, will be broadcast live by Eurosport 2 (59 countries), Nuvolari (Italy), Canal + and Popular TV Spain) and Portugal (Sport TV), with the usual additional delayed coverage in other countries, including France (Motors TV), Belgium (Be Tv) and Austria (ÖRF).

Times and information on www.gtsport.es

www.scuderiaplayteam.com

- Agnes Carlier-  Photos Scuderia Playteam Sarafree