Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC - Mugello (I) - Qualifications

The two are appearing as guests in the eighth and final round of the Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC being held this weekend at Mugello. Pier Guidi and Bertolini usually turn out in the International Superstars Series, driving Maserati Quattroporte Evos fielded by Swiss Team. Today they took a pole position each: Pier Guidi was quickest in session one and Bertolini in session two.

As guest drivers do not pick up any championship points, the point for taking pole went to Gaetano Ardagna and Nicolò Piancastelli. In the first qualifying session, the Venezuelan was quicker than the newly-crowned 2011 Trofeo champion, Tuscan David Baldi. At Mugello, Baldi can enjoy his weekend's racing in front of his friends on what is his home track. Behind him came Nicolò Piancastelli, completing the trio of drivers that fought out the entire championship. Here they were batting for the final pole positions on offer.

The three also split the leading positions in session two, with Piancastelli, Ardagna and Baldi occupying the leading places behind Pier Guidi and Bertolini.

In the Team series (another title assigned at Vallelunga, going to AF Corse and Sbirrazzuoli/Chionna), the two pole positions went to Fabio Venier's squad, with the top times posted by Venier himself and Andrea Gardelli.

Adrian Newey, Technical Director of Formula 1's Red Bull Racing, clocked the eighth best time in the Trofeo Maserati in race one qualifying; his team mate Joe Macari will start from ninth in the afternoon race.

Gaetano Ardagna: "I did well in the qualifying sessions. If you leave out Bertolini and Pier Guidi, I got pole in Race 1 and claimed second for Race 2 behind Piancastelli. I like this race format. We are all at the same level and I am sure that tomorrow will be exciting. We all drive fast on this track. We are hoping for a win; maybe even two..."

Nicolò Piancastelli: "I am really pleased at having claimed the last pole of the season. I was hoping to get it. It is my sixth this year in my category after I took both at Vallelunga, two in Hungary, one in Valencia and today's. I am happy to have beaten Ardagna. I was a good result and helped put this morning behind me. The only disappointing thing is that Pier Guidi and Bertolini finished so far ahead of me; it would have been nice to get closer to them like I did at Vallelunga. I couldn't manage to do the same here but never mind. The important thing is to get better all the time".

Tomorrow – Sunday 2 October – Race 1 is timed for 11.10-12.00 with Race 2 scheduled for 16.40-17.30. Both races will be shown live on the Italian channel Nuvolari TV. Radio Monte Carlo will broadcast a report from the circuit at 15.30 to interview the Trofeo Maserati drivers competing at the Tuscan circuit.

The www.maseraticorse.com site will publish in-depth reports and driver interviews during the weekend.

Qualifying 1
1 Alessandro Pier Guidi – 1:55.546 *
2 Andrea Bertolini – 1’56.462 *
3 Gaetano Ardagna – 1:57.598
4 David Baldi – 1:57.764
5 Fabio Venier – 1:59.053

Qualifying 2
1 Andrea Bertolini – 1:56.335 *
2 Alessandro Pier Guidi – 1:56.535 *
3 Nicolò Piancastelli – 1:58.615
4 Gaetano Ardagna – 1:58.639
5 David Baldi – 1:58.828

* guest drivers who do not pick up any points