Maserati Trofeo Racer UK - 2014

Maserati Trofeo World Series 2014

GRANTURISMO MC TROFEO 2014

Maserati Corse’s technicians and engineers were already hard at work on the 2014 GranTurismo MC Trofeo as the competitive season drew to a close in Abu Dhabi

last December. The numerous improvements made to the car were track-tested by Alessandro Pier Guidi and Niki Cadei before the championship drivers had a first look during the pre-season session at Vallelunga. Illustrating the modifications is Roberto Bozzi, in charge of organising Maserati’s single-make series.

“The Trofeo 2014 has been tweaked in numerous ways that will result in it being faster and more fun to drive compared to last year’s model. The most evident changes have been made to the aerodynamics, namely to the front splitter and rear diffuser. We increased the size of the splitter to boost downforce on the front and counter the oversteer caused by it being a front-engined, rear-wheel drive car. This new design and twin undertray complements the new diffuser. This makes the car smoother through curves while improving stability in both fast and slow stretches. The design of the diffuser is very different to last season’s and

the material it is constructed from is all-new; this has brought down the overall weight by 5 kg. Top side airflow has also been refined with the adoption of a nolder on the rear wing. This is the first time a nolder has been employed on a Maserati Trofeo and will be fitted from Spa on. The car’s mechanics have also had to be modified to take into account the aerodynamic changes: the introduction of a rear anti-rollbar brings greater stability and, with it, higher speeds through curves. To wrap things up, the car has new stiffer front springs and its ride height modified to allow a more aggressive and high-performing set up.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

BUDAPEST: THE TROFEO’S RETURN

Busapest, Hungary Length of the Circuit 4.381 Km Turns16

comeback after a disappointing Spa weekend. Forced out of the running after clashing with another driver, the Belgian failed to finish either race. For the two-time world champion there was the scant reward of a solitary point; this came courtesy of his setting the best lap in Qualifying 2. Pole position in the other race was claimed by Swiss driver Mauro Calamia. Calamia now sits second overall and is ready to attack Gabriele Gardel, also from Switzerland, leads the standings after his win and third spot in Belgium. From the evidence so far, there will be a few title pretenders around, including Alan Simoni, his ex-team-mate Riccardo Ragazzi and the returning Alberto Cola who made the podium in the first round despite having a bad skiing accident over the winter. The new pairing of Andrea Cecchellero and Mathijs Bakker will no doubt catch the eye while Giuseppe Fascicolo will be hoping to show that his decision to drive solo this season was the right one.

TIMETABLE

2014 MAY 30 FRIDAY

12:45 - 14:10 FIA FORMULA 3 EUROPEAN FREE PRACTICE 1&2

14:25 - 15:25 PORSCHE CARRERA CUP D. FREE PRACTICE

15:40 - 16:25 MASERATI TROFEO FREE PRACTICE

16:45 - 17:20 DTM ROLL OUT

17:35 - 17:55 FIA FORMULA 3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Q 1

2014 MAY 31 SATURDAY 09:05 - 09:50 MASERATI TROFEO Q 10:10 - 10:45 PORSCHE CARRERA CUP DEUTSCHLAND Q 1&2 11:10 - 11:45 FIA FORMULA 3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 1 12:10 - 13:40 DTM FREE PRACTICE

15:30 - 16:00 MASERATI TROFEO RACE 1 16:25 - 16:45 FIA FORMULA 3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Q 2&3

17:10 - 17:35 PORSCHE CARRERA CUP DEUTSCHLAND RACE 1 18:10 - 19:00 DTM QUALIFYING

2014 JUNE 1 SUNDAY

08:55 - 09:25 MASERATI TROFEO RACE 2 09:50 - 10:25 PORSCHE CARRERA CUP DEUTSCHLAND RACE 2 10:50 - 11:25 FIA FORMULA 3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 2 13:33 - 14.43 DTM START RACE

15:25 - 16:25 MASERATI TROFEO RACE 3 16:50 - 17:25 FIA FORMULA 3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 3

06 09 20 20 11 20

30 May – 1 June 2014 04 HUN

It was also at the Hungaroring that the Maserati MC12 scored one of its many wins. In 2006, the results of the two Maseratis gave Vitaphone Racing Team the title with two races to spare. All that was needed to secure the crown was a fifth place for Andrea Bertolini/Michael Bartels’ No.1 car and the seventh that was delivered by Jamie Davies and Thomas Biagi’s No.2.

In 2009 came a glorious one-two at the circuit situated just a few kilometres from Budapest: Bertolini/Bartels’ were followed up by Alessandro Pier Guidi/Matteo Bobbi in the second MC12. Victory was awarded after the FIA inspectors disqualified the No.14 Saleen, first across the line and crewed by Karl Wendlinger/Ryan Sharp, for having an illegal fuel tank.

01.SPA SWISS TEAM STAR IN BELGIUM

In the end Swiss Team grabbed everything that was on offer at Spa Francorchamps, scene of act one in the 2014 Maserati Trofeo World Series. The team secured both races courtesy of Gabriele Gardel and Mauro Calamia as reigning champion, Konvex Motorsport’s Renaud Kuppens, got off to an unsteady start. The Belgian was quickest in the second qualifying session and second fastest in session one, behind Calamia. In the race proper however, Kuppens was forced to quit after clashing with Andrea Cecchellero while arguing over a leading position. The damage to his car was so bad that he was ruled him out of Race 2. The start at the Belgian circuit was chaotic: following a collision, Calamia’s No.35 car ended up on the artificial grass at Source, creating havoc in the group chasing him. Coming off worst was German driver Andreas Segler but Riccardo Ragazzi profited to take the lead from Gardel, Alan Simoni, Kuppens and Cecchellero. Ragazzi, from Padova, was soon suffering from tyre trouble and the lead switched to Gardel on lap 9. Kuppens had to bow out soon after and Simone Di Luca’s luck ran out when he suffered a puncture while in the lead group. The race came to a close with Gardel holding off Simoni with Cecchellero third across the line. The top

Mauro Calamia 2:31.371

Alberto Cola +11.314

Gabriel Gardel +15.650

Alan Simoni +16.230

three aside, Calamia deserves a mention for making a comeback to fourth from the fourteenth he had tumbled down to. The Swiss driver’s sparkling form carried over into Race 2 – one that he dominated as he made the most of Kuppens not being able to race (or take up his pole position). Once free of Ragazzi, who had found himself in an early lead, Calamia set the tempo and stormed to the win with Alberto Cola coming home second and Gardel third. Adrien De Leener, from Belgium, strayed wide at the final turn as he failed to make the most of the fourth best qualifying time (and his best ever in the Maserati Trofeo). Ragazzi was again out of luck as he battled with Cola and Gardel – a clash saw him damage his right rear wheel and put an end to his race. Things were still in the balance up until the last lap when Simoni drew up alongside Gardel at Bus Stop in one final bid to overtake. The Swiss driver only just managed to fend off Simoni as his Trofeo bounced off the kerb and clipped his Swiss Team car. In fifth came debutant Simone Di Luca as he showed that his first race effort was no fluke; he could even have finished on the podium if he hadn’t been hit with a drive-through for speeding. In the end though, it was Calamia who celebrated his first Maserati Trofeo victory.

“I really liked it. It is an amazing car and it was an honour for me to drive it on the track. I like the engine noise and it is always nice to have 488 bhp under your control. I was also struck by the beauty and perfection of the design; attractive for a girl… ”

AngeliqueDetavernier

The number of women drivers in the Maserati Trofeo has grown by one. In the recent history of the single-make series, a few female drivers have got behind the wheel. Hungary is the birthplace of Anita Toth, the 2011 and 2012 entrant who competed with her partner Béla Csiszer. The latest woman driver is the enchanting Angelique Detarvenier, the Belgian model with a passion for cars who, whenever she can, dons overalls and a helmet to appear in varied series around the world.

Do you regard yourself as a model, a racing driver or both?

“I have been a model since the age of 12 but have also been passionate about cars. I have managed Frédéric Vervisch for eight years, been an instructor for two and also compete when I can”.

How have you found competing in the Maserati Trofeo World Series?

“I would say that I am satisfied. It was a last-minute choice and so I wasn’t prepared given that I had never tested in the car. The other drivers had much more experience than I did but, despite everything, I had half the pack trailing me after the first session. I had the pleasure of sharing the drive with my friend Alex Demirdyian – he turns out in the Blancpain Endurance Series in a McLaren. To my great surprise, I found myself up on him. I ended the race in tenth with Alex coming home thirteenth.”

What do you like about this single-make series?

“The calendar for sure, the chance to race on circuits around the world, including

Formula 1 tracks, but, unfortunately, I will not compete in the rest of the season. Even the atmosphere is fun and the level of the drivers is high. It is a great championship and the format is interesting too”.

What do you think of the GranTurismo MC Trofeo?

“I really liked it. It is an amazing car and it was an honour for me to drive it on the track. I like the engine noise and it is always nice to have 488 bhp under your control. I was also struck by the beauty and perfection of the design; attractive for a girl… It doesn’t have ABS or traction control but I am used to driving cars like it”.

Will you drive a Maserati again in the future?

“I’d really like to. If I have the chance to in the future I won’t let it get away”.

What comes into your mind when you hear the word ‘Maserati’?

“Italian passion for cars. You can see it in each and every detail, in the design, sound and engineering. Sporty and laid back at the same time!”

Afew hours before arriving at Spa, Belgian driver Adrien De Leener was experiencing the emotions of racing on his home track while also celebrating his third year in Maserati’s single-make series. Once at the circuit came the big surprise: Maserati had decked out his car in the legendary livery that adorned the 250F, one of Formula 1’s most amazing; it took Juan Manuel Fangio to the 1957 world title. A reproduction of the car that wrote Maserati history was clearly visible on the side of the GranTurismo Trofeo while the bonnet carried an image of the car’s engine. The red reflected the era when colour denoted entrants’ country of origin: Italian cars were red. The special design obviously attracted admiring looks from the public and press pack.

Acenturyofvictories

An important artistic project is about to make its first appearance in the Maserati Store, created to celebrate a century of Maserati victories: 100 special-edition lithographs, inspired by vintage posters, will retrace the most important stages in Maserati’s sporting history. 100 numbered prints of each individual lithograph will be produced, each signed by the artist, Enzo Naso: these exclusive prints have been created using high quality materials and techniques, reproducing the original poster, and featuring the Maserati model that starred in that particular competition. The 100 lithographs will be released in five issues over the course of 2014, the Maserati Centennial year. A preview of the car was on display in Maserati’s Spa Francorchamps hospitality zone during round 1 of the Maserati Trofeo World Series.

© Zumbrunn/Maserati

Gabriele Gardel(1°

Overall,1° Team):“I have come into the Trofeo when it is at its peak and have discovered a fun series with expert rivals and a car that provides a really fulfilling drive. Compared to the GT4 I drove years ago,this is harder to drive and it has become and real racing car.The race went quite well because I made the most of all the space I had in front of me after opting for the inside line and leaving La Source.I found myself in second place and,once past Ragazzi,I tried to push as much as I could but ended up wearing out the tyres.This allowed Simoni to move into my slipstream over the closing laps and I had to grit my teeth and hold on.I have to admit,my driving was just this side of legal but I had to hold on for the win”.

Andrea Cecchellero

(3° Overall,2° Trofeo):“On pace alone, I am pleased as I didn’t cover much round in free practice or qualifying.I honestly did not believe that I could match the leaders’ lap times and so chose to hold back and then strike towards the end. Taking care of my tyres paid off as they dropped off sometimes and,at others,provided good grip.I am not totally happy because the clashes with Kuppens and Calamia have left a sour taste in my mouth.My driving was legal but I am not too satisfied at how events panned out.I would like to apologise to the drivers involved as I didn’t plan for things to turn out as they did”.

RACE2

Mauro Calamia

(1° Overall,1° Team):

“The day didn’t start off too well following a clash in Race 1.I lost ground but then came back to fourth.Looking back,I can count myself lucky to have finished in the points.Things went better in Race 2.I built a lead over the pack and focused on my tempo without looking in the mirrors too much; I ended crossing the finish line alone.I would like to thank my team for helping me to this win.I want more of the same in Hungary

Gabriele Gardel

.02 .02

Alan Simoni

(2° Overall,1° Trofeo): “It was a fine race; a hard-fought one from the start against an ever-changing series of drivers.My main rival early on was Kuppens,then came my ex team-mate Ragazzi and, lastly,Gardel.I managed to stay focused throughout,looking after the tyres along the way.This allowed me to close in on Gardel at the end.Unfortunately,I couldn’t find a way past but it bodes well…”

(3° Overall,2° Team):

.03 .03

“The start in Race 2 was a good one and I moved right up to fourth only for Alberto Cola to catch me out.Then I was battling with him while fighting off the drivers behind me.It was a great tussle and I made the podium despite a scare towards the end.All told,it was a positive weekend.It was my debut at Spa in a new car and I have come away with a win,a third spot and the lead overall.I couldn’t ask for anymore”.

Alberto Cola(2°

Overall,1° Trofeo):“I never imagined I would recover this quickly after the serious accident I suffered this winter.Today I made it back onto the podium and,for me,it is like a win.I am overjoyed even though,if the truth be known, the weekend didn’t start off too well:I broke the gearbox in qualifying and couldn’t really express myself. The same was true of Race 1 when I was caught up in an early collision that saw me lose ground.Then, in Race 2, I had a stroke of luck and now I’m here to celebrate.This is the res