Biagi was second in the AF Corse Ferrari
Jos Menten
Thomas Biagi
Joel Camathias
Paolo Ruberti
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Definitely not traditional Italian weather but there were 34 cars on the grid; these were the main ingredients for the second round of the season. On the legendary Autodromo di Monza, within close proximity of Milan, the FIA GT-caravan had set up its camp. Each year this highly fast circuit offers up an exciting race and so it was to be this year also. For Jos Menten the Italian adventure ended after seven laps with a retirement.
The free practice sessions were not very promising for the driver from Haelen and the iPOS Racing team. Poor weather conditions made it difficult for the drivers: "The car wasn't entirely ready resulting in us only completing a few laps in practice. We now know that the gear ratios are far too close. Whether it stays wet or dries out tomorrow . we won't be up front that's for sure. The difference in top speed at the end of the straight is far too big", Jos Menten remarked. Menten and his Italian team mate Andrea Piccini finished the first free practice in 30th place.
The pre-qualifying did not bring any solace either: "With all the strong competition we can forget about finishing in the points. Unless of course fate plays a part and we grab a point. Even in the rain there's a two good seconds difference with the competition. You can't make that up on the track. We need to be honest. This Saleen is not the best battle weapon, but we'll have to make do with what we have. The other Saleen teams are also finding it hard going", the Dutchman commented, finishing the session in 21st place.
It was as though the devil was playing a game, as during the qualifying sessions the weather conditions were exactly the same as those experienced at Silverstone. The G2- and GT2-cars enjoyed a reasonably dry track, just before the heavens opened up once more. On a damp track the GT1-runners lose a fair amount of time. Andrea Piccini cannot achieve better than a 25th time, slotting the car on to the thirteenth row of the grid.
Heavy rain continues on the Sunday morning, and the iPOS Racing team management decide to keep the Saleen S7-R in the pits: "The team opted not to take any risks and we'll hold to that decision. Hopefully it might dry out a bit later, because this is no fun ."
Menten's prayers are heard, because one hour before the start of the race the rain holds off. Andrea Piccini takes the start at 13.15hrs, but the Italian doesn't travel very far. After seven laps the Italian, driving on home ground, brings the car into the iPOS Racing team pits with engine problems. A highly disappointing weekend for Jos Menten, unable to complete a single meter on the track. The power beast sporting the magical number 13 didn't bring the 27 year young driver from Limburg any luck: "The engine temperature kept on rising. We still do not know exactly what is causing it, but there was no point is continuing with the race. I'm now going to prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This will be the high point of my season."
Thomas Biagi
First podium for Thomas Biagi in GT2
Second place after Porche ban
Monza - Dramatic turn of the events! After podium celebrations and press conference, in the evening the announcement of the umpires: Collard/Westbrook first to cross the finishing line in Monza, are then banned and the pair Thomas Biagi/Christian Montanari goes from third to second place.
In fact Porche was first at the checquered flag, followed by Ferrari F430 of Af Corse driven by Bruni/Vilander and then Biagi/Montanari; after a few hours from the end of the race, the jury's resolution. Thomas got the news while he was celebrating with his fans in the private room in Monza circuit.
"Compared to Silverstone" - Thomas says - "we had already done a wide step forward from fourth to third. After this last events we can be more than happy because we've got an excellent second place in Monza that gives us good chances for next Italian date in Adria within one month.
"Each km driven together allows us to discover Ferrari F430 strenghts and weaknesses; today it has given its best. During my turn I was ableto overtake a great pilot like Bell: I outstripped him in the external of the first variant bend. After this moment I gave 110% of myself to take the pace of team mate Jimmy Bruni who knows how Ferrari F430 works and he drives so fast! High performance of my companion Christian Montanari and a very good job of the whole team as well. Vey positive response of Michelin tires which made me improve my timing and keep the speed while I was running out of fuel, showing then their consistency.
"I want to thank all my fans in partcular Cento Fan Club that came in Monza despite the rain and celebrated me on the podium. Thanks again!"
The score is for the moment sub judicio since Collard/Westbrook Porche has filed an appeal.
Jos Menten in the rebraned Saleen
Joel Camathias
Joel Camathias had a positive FIA GT Monza weekend.
Swiss GT race winner, Joel Camathias (27), alongside his Italian team-mate Davide Rigon (21), driving the BMS Scuderia Italia # 78 Ferrari F430 GT, finished 5th in the second round of the 2008 FIA GT Championship. It has been a difficult weekend for weather conditions, like in the first round at Silverstone, sometime rain and sometime shine, but the team and the drivers, also thanks to Pirelli tyres, did an excellent job.
"Wow! FIA GT is a very tough and challenging Championship and to finish 5th it is a good result. I`m really looking forward to the next event at Adria! As always I`d like to thank the whole team [BMS Scuderia Italia], my team-mate Davide [Davide Rigon] and Pirelli [Pirelli tyres] for the great work they did during this weekend. Thanks guys!".
We will see Joel back in action with BMS Scuderia Italia squad on June 21st at the third round of the FIA GT Championship at Adria (Italy).
Paolo Ruberti
Fourth place for Paolo Ruberti in the Monza's round of the FIA GT championship. The driver from Legnago, author of the seventh fastest time in GT2 qualifying yesterday, suffered during the first stint from a problem to the front bumper after a race accident. BMS-Scuderia Italia's men fixed it during the first pit-stop. In the third stint, Ruberti pushed harder and concluded fourth, right at the feet of the podium.
Paolo Ruberti:
"I suffered a bit of under-steering, especially in the first stint, but in the second too. My top speed at the end of the main straight was probably slower than that of some opponents, therefore in some occasions I had really to brake to the limit. In one of these occasions my front bumper got damaged, but this happened in a context of complete correctness both from my side and from my opponent's. Race results keep us in a good position in the classification but I think we will have still to wait a couple of races to understand precisely what our target for the season could be."