TROFEO MASERATI GRANTURISMO MC, QUALIFYING, VALENCIA

Valencia (E), 3 September 2011 – Piancastelli, Baldi and Ardagna are the leading drivers in the championship. They also filled the top three slots in both qualifying sessions at the sixth round of the Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC. This weekend the action is taking place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. Nicolò Piancastelli’s 1:44.467 saw him come out on top in the first session. Next came Ardagna and Baldi. In session two, David Baldi was quickest in 1:44.062 as he beat off Piancastelli and Venezuelan driver Ardagna.

The second session actually saw Lebanese debutant Joseph Ghanem set the third fastest time but he was then relegated to the back of the pack for having to substitute a tyre after it was damaged. The officials followed the letter of the law in dishing out the penalty for tyre changes. Still, it was a fine performance by the youngster who will be partnered at Valencia by Tani Hanna. Cedric Sbirrazuoli suffered the same fate after claiming the quickest Team time when he also damaged a tyre. This meant that pole in the Team series both went to Swiss Team drivers: Matteo Grassi in Race 1 and Davide Durante in Race 2.

David Baldi: “Maybe I didn’t focus too well in session one seeing as I set a much quicker time in the second session. I really came back into it in session two when I set my best lap of the day by getting into the slipstream of cars ahead of me. The result proves that I am ready for the two races tomorrow. The title is still up for grabs, there are only a few of us in with a shout and there are lots of points available”.

Nicolò Piancastelli: “I had never driven on this circuit before and after seeing the result of qualifying I think I can be satisfied. I am a touch disappointed about session two where I perhaps could have done better. I ran only a few laps and this means the tyres are in decent shape; an advantage on a surface that really stresses the tyres. I will be going for the win as it is the only way to catch my rivals”.

Tomorrow – Sunday 4 September – Race 1 will be run from 10.20 to 11.00, and Race 2 from 16.20 to 17.00. Both races will be beamed live by the Italian channel Nuvolari Tv. Radio Monte Carlo will broadcast a report at 15.45 featuring interviews with those competing in the Trofeo Maserati at Ricardo Tormo.

The www.maseraticorse.com website will have all the latest reports and driver interviews.

Qualifying 1
1 Nicolò Piancastelli – 1:44.467
2 Gaetano Ardagna – 1:45.273
3 David Baldi – 1:45.404

Qualifying 2
1 David Baldi – 1:44.062
2 Nicolò Piancastelli – 1:44.383
3 Gaetano Ardagna – 1:44.694

Maserati Corse Press Office, Filippo Ghialamberti, GSM +39 347 5339022, mediaracing@maserati.com
Photo: credits Maserati/Mario Chiarappa