Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC - Monza (I) - Qualifcations

Ivan Capelli takes two poles in the first round of the Trofeo Maserati

Ivan Capelli scooped both pole places in the qualifying sessions ahead of the Maserati GranTurismo MC at Monza in this weekend.

The ex-Formula 1 driver edged out Sergio Rota, by four thousandths, with Manuel Villa taking third on the grid. In the second session, Capelli held off Sundberg (winner of two Spanish GT titles and an Italian Formula 3 crown) and again Rota.

As Ivan Capelli is appearing as a guest, his performances did not win any championship points and so the first points in Maserati's single make series went to Swedish driver, Sundberg, and to Rota. This was because the new regulations see the man in pole earn one point.

Stefano Gai was the best of the GranTurismo MC GT4 drivers in both qualifying (ninth and seventh overall, respectively). His performance saw him better Alessandro Pier Guidi and Marco Coldani in the first twenty minutes and Johathan Sicart and Ronnie Kessel in Qualifying 2.

Race 1 is timed for 9.40-10.20 tomorrow with race 2 planned for 11.45-12.25.

Sergio Rota: "I am happy with how qualifying went. In Qualifying 1, I only just missed out on pole and was beaten by Ivan Capelli. Again he showed what a great driver he is. Tomorrow's race depends on the start. The most important thing is to not crash out of the race at the first turn. We will need to be patient and if one particular driver is pacier he should win".

Qualifying 1
1 Ivan Capelli - 2:00.775
2 Sergio Rota - 2:00.779
3 Manuel Villa - 2:01.392

Qualifying 2
1 Ivan Capelli - 2:00.208
2 Peter Sunderberg - 2:00.349
3 Sergio Rota - 2: 00.567