06
July
2008
|
10:00
Europe/Amsterdam

PIRELLI TEAMS UNLUCKY AT OSCHERSLEBEN RACE

The debut for some new tyre solutions from Pirelli was compromised by bad luck and human error both in qualifying and the race. Nonetheless, the Italian firm's technicians are preparing for the future with various test sessions that are planned at Spa and Vallelunga.

The German circuit of Oschersleben, the venue for round four of the FIA GT Championship, did not allow the teams equipped with Pirelli PZero Racing tyres to fulfil their potential. The clear progress made with the new front tyres for the BMS Scuderia Italia and Scuderia Ecosse Ferraris, as well as the latest evolutions for the PeKa Racing Saleen S7R, was not able to be seen due to freak circumstances.

In qualifying, the track became suddenly covered in oil after a competitor suffered an engine failure around halfway through the session. This unfortunate incident meant that the Pirelli runners were not able to improve on the times they had set earlier. In the race, the clever strategy decided by BMS-Scuderia Italia with an early pit-stop was cancelled by the Ruberti's spun just after mid-race.

A spin also slowed down the second BMS-Scuderia Italia Ferrari. Nonetheless, a really excellent performance from young driver Davide Rigon meant that the 430 GTC climbed back to a great fifth place in class.

Contact with a GT1 car during an overtaking manoeuvre meanwhile ruined the chances of the Babini-Davies' Scuderia Ecosse Pirelli-shod car. Just a few laps from the end, after a safety car period, a Corvette hit Jamie Davies and tapped him into a spin. The Englishman managed to get going again but dropped to the tail of the field, finishing some way behind his rivals.

To make matters worse, Bert Longin spun the PeKa Racing Saleen-Pirelli in the early stages of the race, and was consequently obliged to work his way up from the back.

On Tuesday the Pirelli squad will travel to Spa-Francorchamps for a test session to prepare for the famous 24-hour race. Then there will be three further days of development testing at the Vallelunga circuit near Rome to work towards some of the remaining important races of the year, such as Brno as well as Spa.