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21.04.2008
Scuderia Playteam SaraFree takes another podium in race two
Ferrari F430 no.3 Andrea MonterminiMichele Maceratesi handicap 15’ Ferrari F430 no.4 Manuel GiaoPedro Couceiro handicap 10’ Warm-up: Giao-Couceiro 1.37.465 10th Qualifying 2: Maceratesi 1.35.372 – 2nd / Couceiro 1.36.257 – 12th Race 2: Montermini-Maceratesi – 2nd / Giao-Couceiro – 4th
After yesterday’s sensational one-two finish in the first race of the new International GT Open season as Montermini Maceratesi and Giao-Couceiro brought their two Ferrari 430s home in first and second places respectively, taking 40 points, Scuderia Playteam SaraFree was ready for another strong performance in the second, 28-lap race of the weekend. The team secured another podium as Andrea Montermini in car number 3 finished second while Pedro Couceiro finished fourth in car number 4, having started from twelfth on the grid. Maceratesi started the race from front-row in car number 3, and kept second place, while Manuel Giao gained one place from twelfth. Both drivers kept their positions as the race wore on and looked after their tyres. As of lap 8, the pace intensified and Maceratesi started pushing behind the leader while Giao made his way up the order. Michele Maceratesi (car no. 3) commented, "The second race was only a short one. I was second at the start and was really close to the leader. I was trying to make no mistakes and keep the pressure on. On lap 12, the team called me in early and decided that they should be among the first teams to change drivers."
Andrea Montermini: "The driver change went very well. I started to push as soon as I rejoined and when the driver change window was closed I was third behind Case and Passini. I was pushing hard and threatening Passini. I passed him on lap 21 and on the following lap I closed in on Lorenzo Case. He kept closing the door. At the end we touched and Case spun and went off at "Cimini" which explains why I slowed down. Then Passini was just behind me again. It was a hard job keeping the lead, but Passini passed me again. Nevertheless it was a great weekend that I dedicate to Giambattista Giannoccaro and to the boys in the team who really did an outstanding job allowing us to be on the podium twice with a great win and a second place." Manuel Giao commented, "I could not be happier for the team to see us start from 12th and finish fourth. I had a good start passing one of the competitors ahead of me, and then I had another chance to climb up in the classification before the driver change. I was ranking seventh as we completed the driver change with Pedro Couceiro on lap 14. It was a really good result for the championship. We will come to the next race in Valencia with no handicap." Pedro Couceiro: "We made a good stop and I was sixth when the driver’s change window closed. I made my way up to fourth as I found a strong pace and rhythm, but there was nothing I could do to catch third place in the time that was left. It’s a shame that I didn’t make it to the podium, but we got a great result following a disappointing qualifying."
Giambattista Giannoccaro, team owner and founder: "Congratulations to the boys in the team and to the drivers. The team goes to the second racing event of the season in Valencia with a good result, leading the championship. We will have to be very disciplined throughout the championship and take no risks at any time because the championship is long. I am pleased with three podiums over the weekend. Starting from 12th and finishing in the points in fourth is also a fantastic effort and a great achievement to add to the podiums. I would also like to congratulate Pedro Couceiro for his first ever 2nd place trophy with the team yesterday."
Warm up: Scuderia Playteam SaraFree finished the warm up with a fastest time of 1.37.465 for car no. 4 finishing in 10th place. Drivers Manuel Giao and Pedro Couceiro completed a routine one lap each to check the systems, the brakes and practice the driver change.
- Agnes Carlier- photos Scuderia Playteam
Author: maggy (admin2)
Last modified: Monday, 21.04.2008 - 12:27 More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
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