FIA-GT: Pirelli returns from Silverstone with six drivers topping the championship
Silverstone, 15 May 2005 - Pirelli leaves the British Silverstone circuit bolstered by an excellent overall result, with three cars fitted with P Zero Racing in the third, fourth and fifth places. In reality, those positions were the first three points-scoring places in the title chase, because the Aston Martins that came first and second compete outside the championship. Biagi-Babini were the best crew on Pirelli, their Maserati MC12 preceding the sister cars of Bertolini-Wendlinger and Scheider-Bartels. In this race, too, the Pirelli racing tyres were decidedly effective, for they also produced great consistency of yield and performance on a track known for the notable abrasiveness of its asphalt, which demanded a tyre change with every pit stop. The quality of the P Zero Racing tyres was also confirmed by the fact that six out of the first 10 cars to finish this third round in the FIA-GT Championship, which also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Tourist Trophy, were on the Italian tyres. The Pirelli P Zeros' high level of competitivity in this early part of the season is evident, so much so that the six drivers on equal points at the top of the FIA-GT championship table compete in Maseratis fitted with Pirelli. The characteristics of the P Zero Racings fully satisfied the Italian cars' drivers. Thomas Biagi, who came third overall but obtained maximum points in the FIA-GT overall classification, said: " The tangible progress made by the Pirelli front tyres on the MC12s on entering a corner further improved the cars' drivability" . The Team Vitaphone Racing driver also said he was very pleased with the Italian tyres' wear resistance, " which enabled us to always maintain a high rhythm, even after having covered many laps in the race". Pierluigi De Cancellis, Circuit Manager of Pirelli Competizioni, spoke positively of " the optimum performance shown by the Ferrari 575 GTC of Team GPC Corse, which came seventh overall and was fitted with the new P Zero Racing: the tyres made an extremely important contribution to the global improvement of the car, driven by Piccini-Deletraz". Final results - Silverstone race, FIA-GT 2005:
1 | Kox-Lamy | Aston Martin DBR9 (fuori classifica) | 134 giri in 3h00'28''713 |
2 | Brabham-Turner | Aston Martin DBR9 (fuori classifica) | +1''937 |
3 | Biagi-Babini | Maserati MC12 | +11''078 |
4 | Bartels-Scheider | Maserati MC12 | +0''921 |
5 | Bertolini-Wendlinger | Maserati MC12 | +1 giro |
6 | Gardel-Gollin | Ferrari 550 Maranello | +1 giro |
7 | Piccini-Deletraz | Ferrari 575 GTC | +2 giri |
8 | Gardel-Gollin | Maserati MC12 | +2 giri |
For more information and pictures on Pirelli's motorsport activities visit: www.pirellicompetizioni.com




