Paul Ricard, 4th October 2009 - With the second place obtained by Alex Müller and Miguel Ramos and a fifth place by Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels, Vitaphone Racing Team mathematically wins the fifth consecutive title among the racing teams.

This is an unprecedented result in the FIA GT Championship, giving the Maserati MC12 eleven titles.

Since 2005 the MC12 has won: two FIA GT Manufacturers Cups in 2005 and 2007; three FIA GT Drivers Championships in 2006 (Michael Bartels/Andrea Bertolini), in 2007 (Thomas Biagi) and in 2008 (Michael Bartels/Andrea Bertolini); five FIA GT Teams Championships in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (Vitaphone Racing Team); one Citation Cup for gentlemen drivers in 2007 (Ben Aucott) and three victories at the prestigious Spa 24 Hours (2005, 2006, and 2008).

The outcome can be considered positive in what was deemed the toughest circuit for the Modena race cars. A place on the podium for Müller/Ramos is the fair conclusion to a good race, run with authority in the initial stages and in the end influenced by the return of Ruffier/Longin's Corvette.

The Bertolini/Bartels duo's fifth place, together with the withdrawal of Kumpen/Hezemans, gives the reigning champions a four-point lead in the driver's ranking prior to the last round of the championship, scheduled for 25 October in Zolder.

The third Maserati MC12, driven by the Pier Guidi/Bobbi duo, also ran a good race, arriving sixth, defending the colors of Vitaphone Racing Team DHL.

For the record, the race was won by Bernoldi/Streiff on the Corvette Z06.

RACE RESULTS:

1) Bernoldi/Streiff (Corvette Z06)
2) Müller/Ramos (Maserati MC12)
3) Ruffier/Longin (Corvette Z06)

DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 7 ROUNDS:

1) Bartels/Bertolini - 49 points
2) Kumpen/Hezemans - 45 points
3) Longin/Ruffier - 35 points

Photos and text courtesy of Maserati.