Maserati Trophy: all set for the first race at Vallelunga

The Misano Adriatico circuit has hosted the final pre-season test session ahead of the Maserati Trophy. Over twenty drivers from four countries (Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain and Germany) took the wheel of their cars in preparation for the opening race at Vallelunga. The Pirelli PZero-equipped Maserati racing cars are derived from the powerful Coup Cambiocorsa road cars. The rain that fell in the final hours of the Misano test allowed drivers to build up confidence with their cars on wet asphalt, where the latest generation of PZero rain tyres generate even higher levels of grip than the previous versions. Maserati drivers and technicians were full of praise for Pirelli Competizioni's new covers, which have demonstrated an even greater capacity to drain water and prevent dangerous aquaplaning. Some of the big names from last year made the trip to Misano, such as Alberto Vescovi (Italy), Udo Vetter (Germany) and Max Cattori (Switzerland). None of these drivers took part in the previous test session held at Vallelunga, and were keen to put in some pre-season practice. Newcomers to the Trofeo Maserati included the Swiss Konstantin Ioannidis, German Dieter Schaper and the Italian duo of Antonio Andolfato and Stanislao Smurra's brother of reigning champion Emanuele. The first round of the Maserati Trophy will take place on May 1st and 2nd at the Vallelunga circuit, during the first Maserati Day. After Vallelunga, the Maserati Trophy will visit: Spa (May 30th), Silverstone (July 11th), Hockenheim (July 25th), Imola (September 5th), Magny Cours (October 10th) and the Ferrari - Maserati world finals (October 31st).