FIA GT1: Sumo Power Nissan take qualifying race with Vitaphone Maserati securing championship lead

Sun 19th Sep –Sumo Power Nissan take qualifying race with Vitaphone Maserati securing championship lead in championship race.

Championship leaders Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels returned to the top step of the podium in Portugal.  The Maserati MC12 held second place with Bertolini at the wheel for the first half of the race behind Peter Dumbreck’s Sumo Power GT Nissan GT-R but a lightening pitstop by the Vitaphone Racing Team mechanics put Bartels out in front, where he stayed until the chequered flag.  The nr5 Matech Competition Ford GT finished second after a solid first stint by Thomas Mutsch and a mammoth effort by Richard Westbrook in the second half of the race, the reigning FIA GT2 Champion closing the gap from 10 seconds to 1.4 at the chequered flag.  Marc Hennerici and Alex Margaritis scored their second podium finish of the weekend in the Phoenix Racing / Carsport Corvette to keep both drivers in the title race.

Andrea Bertolini Nr1 Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12

“It was difficult like yesterday, especially the start. Today I did a good start and saved my second position, and for us this is a maximum result for the start. Afterwards I tried to stay close to him, because I lost the downforce at the front, and if I was too close, I’d destroy my front tyre.  The car was consistent and I gained some tenths in the in-lap when Peter came in too. Peter was in front and in under breaking in the pits, I gained 7-8 tenths, I was really close in the pits. Afterwards the team, the mechanics, did a reallyunbelievable pits, because I jumped out of the car and immediately Michael started; it was really quick. If we are here, and if we won this race, 50% is for our crew, probably more. All these drivers had a really good weekend, Corvette and Ford, because we shouldn’t forget that the guys from Ford were unbelievable during the weekend, because yesterday they started at the last row and did an unbelievable race. We won, but they finished second. It was a good, fair race, and I hope it will be the same sort of race in Navarre and the rest of the season.”

Michael Bartels-Nr1 Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12“First of all, I think today’s victory is a big part owed to pit crew, because I was nearly not finished with my belt and the car dropped down so I could just quickly tighten my belt and we came out with quite a comfortable lead to the Aston and he was still running, as before he was close to us. I’m expecting that later on the analysis will show a very strong pit work. Of course when you’re leading by 8-9-10 seconds, it’s a harder race than when you’re fully under pressure, because you lose concentration, you think things you shouldn’t think. I was aware of course that the Ford was coming from behind in big steps, and with really strong performance, and I think if we’d had 2 more laps in the race, he’d have been on my back. I think they found a very strong speed during the weekend after a bad qualifying, but I was also trying to save some of my tyre performance for the mid stint. Not to push too hard right at the beginning, we’d left one brand new set. They performed quite well immediately when I went out. I still wanted to save tyres as it was hotter than yesterday and we saw yesterday some cars with really big problems. The race was under control, and I got a bit nervous, and I tried to calm myself down when Richard came really strong from behind. But I knew that it was only 2-3 laps to go. As long as I didn’t make a mistake, the victory would be safe. I think it was another good race, good sport for GT. Three more races to go and I’m looking forward to Navarre and South America. A new track is always new for everybody, everyone has to start with the basics and the setup. One driver combination might fit a new layout better. We are all professional drivers and you need 5-6 laps to get used to it. Tyre issues come into it again, as we have to use them a bit more as we get used to the track. It’s good and it’s a challenge over the weekend: who can work with their tyres in the best way. Good for the strategy and engineering side. Over the weekend it’s a big challenge to work with 4 sets and 1 used set, I like it. But Navarre is new for everybody, and although 27 points is a comfortable lead, with this points system, it’s never comfortable. One bad weekend and you can drop down to second.”

Thomas Mutsch-Nr5 Matech Competition Ford GT Matech

“As we started yesterday from 22nd after the qualifying where we had some issues with our car. Yesterday’s race was already amazing and the performance during the race was very good. We have to work on our qualifying performance, but our race speed is amazing, also how long the tyres last. We found a really good setup compared to our competitors. I’m quite happy. Richard did an amazing stint, was catching up lap by lap, and I think that we would have needed 3, 4more laps to catch up to Michael. But it’s just one hour and that’s the game. I was on used tyres from qualifying, they were still pretty good, but I was trying to save them as much as possible and just stay behind. I knew that when we would start fighting behind the Corvette of Hennerici we would lose time, as I was not that much quicker  so that I could just close the gap and pass him, so I just tried to stay behind, so we didn’t lose too much time to the leading cars. The pitstop was okay, not the best, but the crew did a great job, but the Maserati crew was better this time and therefore they came out with quite a comfortable lead already.”

Richard Westbrook-Nr5 Matech Competition Ford GT Matech

“It’s a long way to come from 22nd yesterday, and it’s really not where we should have qualified, but unfortunately Thomas had a failure on the suspension during qualifying through no fault of his own, and we showed in the practice that both of our paces were really strong. We expected to qualify a lot better, but it was very unfortunate that this happened during qualifying. We had to get our heads down and stay clean and really attack. I didn’t really know what was going on at the start of my stint, as I hadn’t plugged my radio in, as I never find time to do it. I just thought I’ll throw caution to the wind and then I could see Michael. I didn’t know how long to go, but if it had been a little longer, it could have been different. Well done to these guys, they did a perfect job and it was good, fair battles out there. I had a good battle with Alex and it was all very fair. We’re delighted to come second after qualifying. These three crews sat here now are the strongest performers, I think we’re first, second and third in the championship and it’s going to go all the way. As Michael said with the points situation, you never know. We’ll keep fighting till the end.”

Marc Hennerici-Nr 13 Phoenix Racing / Carsport Corvette Z06

“After Spa, it was a little hard for us, as we lost 3rd place by a mistake and I dropped down in the championship from 3rd to 7th position. Now I’m back in 3rd position, and now on the podium, it’s the 1st and 2nd in the championship, and me. So it was quite a strong performance from Phoenix who have got me back in this position, also from Alex. I saw that Enge and Darren Turner were struggling a bit, I think that they might have had a problem with the engine, so I could gain a lot of points against them. But for the next race, we have to contend with 40kg of ballast in the car. I think it’s getting tough for us, and those behind us in the championship have no weight, so it’s always up and down. But I have something in my hand, I have a sim version of Navarra so I will do a lot of laps at home, and I won’t give it to anyone else, except maybe Alex. I didn’t expect  this performance here, I hope to reach the top 5 places, but to be on the podium for a 2nd time with Alex, 3rd podium this year, it’s my rookie season and I’m really happy about it. I hope to gain another position and I’m not giving up my dream to reach first place, but those guys are really tough.”

Alexander Margaritis-Nr 13 Phoenix Racing / Carsport Corvette Z06

“I’m very happy, also considering that it’s Marc and my first time in Portimao, so the 20kg of Nürburgring, and the circuit and layout wasn’t the best for the Corvette, but we made a great job in Free Practice, and we found a good set up yesterday. Yesterday we had a problem with the tyres and had a look to find something over the night. My stint was really good, I didn’t have a big tyre drop-off, and I’m very happy to be on the podium for a second time. I hope to continue like that.”

Saturday 18th -Qualifying race

The Sumo Power Nissan GT-R No.23 of Michael Krumm and Peter Dumbreck took the spoils in a spectacular Qualifying Race at Portimao.  It was a maiden win for the German-British partnership in a race that showcased the very best of the close combat of GT1. The Nissan won a tense three-way battle at the head of the field with the Vitaphone Maserati No.1 of Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini second. Long-time race leader and polesitters Marc Hennerici and Alex Margaritis in the Phoenix Corvette No.13 claimed third place. Fourth was Darren Turner and Tomas Enge in the Young Driver Aston Martin No.7, while Richard Westbrook and Thomas Mutsch produced a stunning drive in the Matech Competition Ford GT No.5 to grab fifth place from a starting position of 21st on the grid.

Michael Krumm- 1st nr23 Sumo Power GT Nissan GT-R
“Like it promised this morning, it was an exciting race. It was important to get clean through the first corners. We had the same fight, us three cars, going over the whole race, including the pitstops. Everything went perfectly for us today, from qualifying onwards. The start was okay, not brilliant, the pitstop was fantastic, Peter’s drive was fantastic. I think that the word that sums it up for us is ‘perfect’. The tyre wear became an issue for most of the cars after a couple of laps. As we use the same tyres, we can see that it kicks in at the same time. We kind of moved together. I think in the second stint probably older tyres were used, so it was a little bit more exciting. After all, it’s the same tyres for everyone, so it’s pretty equal. ”

Peter Dumbreck- 1st nr23 Sumo Power GT Nissan GT-R
“I was aware that we’d be on the TV screens, so I was being very clean, and both of us being very fair. The last thing I wanted was to put him in a half spin or jeopardize  my second place, so it was very important that I kept it clean and took my time. I could see that he was having a little more trouble than I was with the tyres. Mine really only kicked in the last couple of laps. I was struggling with the rear, but up until then, the car was fantastic. I could hold Andrea in the beginning. I think he came out one lap earlier than me, so his tyres were warmer. There were a couple of moments where it was quite close, but then, as I realised I was catching Marc I just tried to keep my head down and Andrea was coming with me, and I took my time to get by. Tomorrow, it’s a case that I get a clean start and don’t do anything silly. We have a good engine behind us, but I also see that the Corvette has a good engine. So same again! I just want to get the car back to Michael, minimum in the top 3, and take a good haul of points. If we get a win, then that’s even better. I want to come away from this weekend with lots of points. ”

Michael Bartels- 2nd nr1 Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12
“I was surprised by the Lamborghini once again. This created of course a little bit of chaos, between our three cars: Pierguidi, Ramos and myself. But I managed to survive without any heavier contact and I came out after the corner in 4th place. I think it was a good race, we had a good pace, when I could pass  the Lamborghini again, I could close immediately to Alex and Michael, but then it’s difficult to overtake; it’s one thing to catch up, another to overtake. In our position I think the most important thing is to keep the brain on in racing, because we are leading the championship and we need every possible point. We are back in lucky Saturday, because we stopped for two races, not being here on Saturday. I hope we can continue now until the end of the season because these points are free of charge and we extended our lead in the championship to 20 points with these 6 points, and now we have to go for a good race tomorrow and score points. For sure, for us, it’s important not to fail with any big risk. We have to say, the fighting in the first and second race, with the cars so close, showed what fair, hard motorsport means in GT.”

Andrea Bertolini 2nd nr1 Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12
“Michael did a really good stint. When I restarted, I tried to push a lot in my out lap, but in the end it was not enough. Afterwards, I was behind Peter, and I decided not to do a strange manoeuvre, as we arrived behind Marc, but really, I am happy, because when you drive with professional drivers like Peter of Marc, we do a really nice race, because both drivers here enjoy the drive and at a track like Portimao, every stint is a nice race. We’ll see tomorrow what happens. It’ll be a really difficult start for sure, but you never know. We’ll see at the end of the race.”

Alexander Margaritis – 3rd nr13 Phoenix Racing / Carsport Corvette Z06
“I was lucky to get the pole position from Marc and to do the start. I had a great beginning of the race. I got to a good start. I got a bit of a gap from the cars behind me and got my pace. In the beginning, the car felt very good, so I could take some seconds and get a bigger gap of 2-3 seconds. In the end of my stint, I already saw that my tyres, especially at the rear, were getting a problem, so we knew it before, but we didn’t expect it in such a big way. So I came to the pit, and we had a great pitstop, one of the fastest, the team made a very good job, and then I gave the car to Marc. From my point there was nothing special in my stint. I enjoyed it a lot to get a clear view and to push a lot, as I do, but in the end, we were a bit unlucky, and had to pay the price of not being here before; it’s Marc and I’s first time, so we had to practice a lot of laps on the tyres, and that was the thing that cost us in the end.

Marc Hennerici- 3rd nr13 Phoenix Racing / Carsport Corvette Z06
“The tyres were an issue. For me it was a less good race, because five laps before the end, the car was still good, but not as fast as the other guys. The fight was clean and nice. It’s still a big thing for me to drive against drivers like Andreas Bertolini and Peter Dumbreck. I’ve dreamt two years ago to compete against them. I think this kind of clean racing is better, but of course I’m a bit disappointed, because when you start from pole position you want to win. We didn’t expect the tyre wear to be so heavy, but it’s okay. Tomorrow we have two good sets of tyres, and I think we can be optimistic for tomorrow.