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Maserati has presented to FIA
(Federation Internationale Automobile) the 25 MC12 road version, ready to be
delivered to customers, alongside three racing models: the one unveiled the last
March at the Geneva Show and the couple that will make the debut in Imola for AF
Corse.
Maserati is making a very welcome return to racing and, in the process, to its
very earliest roots. In fact, it was Maserati’s enormous success in races,
courtesy of some legendary drivers and an insatiable thirst for innovation, that
helped created the legend of the Trident marque.
A F1 World title in 1957 was delivered by Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel of the
magnificent 250 F. The same model that helped the Argentinian to win another
title in 1954.
The last victory its last came long after Maserati official retirement from
racing at the end of '57, courtesy of Cooper in 1967 (F1 South African GP,
driver Pedro Rodriguez, 12-cylinder Cooper-Maserati).
The Trident’s most glittering triumphs in the sports prototype category,
however, have to be its Targa Florio, Buenos Aires 1000 Km and Nürburgring
victories. Wilbur Shaw’s two wins in the Indy 500 (1939-1940) at the wheel of
the 8CTF, also have a very special place in the Trident story.
Martin Leach (Maserati C.E.O) has declared: "The history of Maserati is one
of sporting success, splendid and fascinating automobiles and exclusive clients.
"We have completed the series of 25 MC12 roadcars and they are ready for
delivery to the clients and the track cars in which we will make our racing
return to an international championship are being prepared. For us then, it is
an important historic moment".
The same concept has been underlined by Claudio Berro (Director Maserati Corse):
"It is an exciting moment as it marks the return of a great automobile
manufacturer to competition after a gap of thirty years. All the cars have been
completed and selected and so all that remains is for the track to give its
verdict. We believe that we have worked well over the past two years".
From the technical point of view, Giorgio Ascanelli (Technical Director Maserati
Corse) explains: "The race version is derived from the road version of the
MC12, with a close eye kept on performance and costs. We would like our future
clients to possess an easily manageable car with great performance and good
reliability".
The drivers are very confident: "The road going car and the race spec car are
very similar - says Andrea Bertolini - The MC12 is a very easy vehicle to
drive and one in which it is easy to find the limit.
"We work well with Mika Salo. We completed the last three tests together and,
most significantly, we give the technicians similar feedback on the car".
The finn driver agrees: "It’s quite exciting. It’s has been a very busy
testing and I think we should be ready for the race. It’s a very confortable car
to drive, very good balanced, very comfortable especially for the long run".
The other duo is formed by Johnny Herbert and Fabrizio De Simone. "I am more
than satisfied - says Herbert - because we signed the agreement a few
days ago and the first test at Mugello went extremely well.
"The MC12 is a pleasant car to drive. Comfort is very important in races of this
type. A car has to be set up in two specific ways for two different drivers and
I think that the perfect combination has been found".
The same impression of Fabrizio de Simone: "The first sensation is that the
MC12 is an extremely precise and reliable car to drive. What I found was that it
was easy to establish the right feeling with this car. The car is an exceptional
one to drive".
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