Karl Wendlinger and Ryan Sharp completed an excellent weekend, which included fastest time in first free practice and pole, by giving Austrian team Jetalliance its first FIA GT win, after a fine race at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. This was not only the fourth different winner of the season, and the third different winning make, but the first win of 2007 for the Aston Martin DBR9. The car dominated the race, only dropping back briefly after a slight mistake from Sharp, who spun while challenging for the lead after the first pit stop. “It was perfect; the car was handling very well until the end of the race, ” Karl said. “Our boss is very happy, and us too. Jetalliance is a very well organised racing team; we have a very good atmosphere in the team and this probably the main reason for our success. “
Jetalliance finished ahead of the Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC 12 of Christian Montanari and Miguel Ramos, who claimed their second podium in a row. They recovered from a long pit stop when they had difficulty restarting the engine. “We pushed hard because I really wanted to take the podium. It’s really important for me, for Miguel, for the team, for Michelin. I’m very happy because this is a very nice present for my birthday, ” Montanari said.
Third went to the Carsport Holland Corvette C6R of Deletraz and Hezemans, meaning three different makes on the podium. The Corvette made a tremendous start, putting Hezemans in the lead after the first corner, but they were later unable to keep up with the Aston and Maserati cars. “I think that we’re in a really good position for the future, ” Deletraz commented. “We’re really close to the top, which is an important place to be in before Spa. Everyone knows that Spa is the most important race of the season. ”
Thomas Biagi and Michael Bartels finished fourth in the nr 1 Vitaphone Maserati MC 12. In the closing stages of the race, Biagi was closing on Wendlinger and challenging for the lead, but went wide two laps before the end, losing two places. However, his points allowed him to retake the lead in the classification.
Fifth went to the PK Carsport Corvette C5 of Kumpen and Longin. The team had previously said that this would be their most difficult track, due to their lack of top speed. This position, maintaining them in second place in the Championship, met their expectations and kept them in contention. Aston Martin Racing BMS finished sixth with Babini and Davies in the nr 23 DBR9; the second car of Monfardini and Toccacelo was 12th, and has a suspended grid penalty of five places due to cutting a chicane.
Jetalliance’s happiness was completed by the first points finish for the nr 36 car of Lechner and Lichtner-Hoyer. “We achieved precisely what we intended to do, ” Lechner said. “Luki and I both performed strongly today. Now I’m very proud of having been able to contribute two points for the team championship, and they shouldn’t be the last ones. ”
The last point went to Bucharest winners Scuderia Playteam Sarafree, with the nr 11 car of Bertolini and Piccini. The drivers lost ten grid places after an engine change, and recovered to finish eighth.
The Lamborghini Murciélago cars had a difficult weekend, both starting from the back of the grid. They made rapid progress, but the nr 7 car had difficulties and was one of the only two retirements. The nr 8 had clutch issues and lost time after an excursion in the gravel, finishing tenth.
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