Maserati MC12

25 roadgoing MC12s ready to be delivered

Modena, 30 August 2004
Maserati has presented to the FIA (Federation Internationale Automobile) the 25 MC12 road versions, ready to be delivered to customers, alongside three racing models: the car unveiled in March 2004 at the Geneva Show and the two that will make the MC12’s debut in Imola for AF Corse.

Maserati is making a welcome return to racing and in the process, to its very earliest roots. In fact, it was Maserati’s enormous success in racing courtesy of legendary drivers and an insatiable thirst for innovation that helped create the strength of the Trident marque.

Juan Manuel Fangio delivered the Formula One World Championship in 1957 at the wheel of the magnificent 250 F; the same model that helped the Argentinian to win another title in 1954.

The most recent victory came long after Maserati’s 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, Chief Executive of Maserati said, "The history of Maserati is one of sporting success, splendid and fascinating cars combined with exclusive customers. We have completed the series of 25 MC12 road cars and they are ready for delivery to clients, whilst the track cars in which we will make our racing return to an international championship are being prepared. It is an important, historic moment."

The same concept has been underlined by Claudio Berro, Director of Maserati Corse, the racing division of Maserati. "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 perspective, Giorgio Ascanelli, Technical Director of 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 gave the technicians similar feedback on the car." The Finnish driver agrees, "It’s quite exciting. It’s been a very busy testing session and I think we should be ready for the race. It’s a very comfortable car to drive, very well 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."

Johnny Herbert, Fabrizio De Simone, Mika Salo and Andrea Bertolini to drive Maserati MC12

Mugello, 26 August 2004
Circuit: Autodromo del Mugello (5.245 km – short version 2.760 km)
Drivers: Johnny Herbert, Fabrizio De Simone, Mika Salo and Andrea Bertolini
Car: MC12
Weather: Air temperature 22/25C, track temperature 23/31C; cloudy.

The drivers who will pilot the stunning new Maserati MC12 next weekend (5 September) at its debut in the FIA GT championship have been announced today.

One team is composed of the Englishman, Johnny Herbert, and Italian Fabrizio De Simone. For both drivers, today’s session was their first opportunity to try the MC12.

The Finn Mika Salo and the Italian Andrea Bertolini make up the other team.

The two Maserati MC12 racing cars completed the last preparatory test today, at Mugello in Italy. The drivers who will make up the crews took turns at the wheel of the two cars, to be marshalled by AF Corse on race days.

The day’s technical programme was wrapped up successfully. Bertolini, in particular, worked on selecting the best Pirelli PZero tyres set up.

At the same time on the Tuscan circuit, the Swiss driver Iradj Alexander tested the new 2005 Maserati Trofeo kit, a car that will feature in the well-established Trident single-marque series.

Photos and articles courtesy of Maserati Press Office.