Bartels-Bertolini GT1 World Champions

If there are many seat changes in GT1, there is one pair that has remained united from the start of the season. Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini, champions of the discipline in 2009, continued to drive together in a Maserati MC12 for the debut of the GT1 labeled World Championship.

At the end of a full season, initially dominated by the Thomas Mutsch association? Romain Grosjean, Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini made their experience and consistency speak for themselves, offering themselves the supreme reward at the end of the qualifying race in San Luis (Argentina), venue of the last event of the World Championship.

« This victory is not comparable to the others, explains Michael Bartels. We had one or two teams against us in previous years while this year there were a lot of excellent drivers and very good teams attacking all the time. We always scored points and, when we had our chances, we won races. We made fewer mistakes than our rivals. Another advantage is that Andrea and I know each other so well that we know what to do when necessary, attack or drive carefully. We understand each other perfectly and no one is jealous of the other?s times. We do our work seriously and we are rewarded for it. »

For his part, Andrea Bertolini is happy to be able to celebrate a title that has been in the making for several months. “ It was a very long and difficult season, with a new shorter format and two races per weekend. Our team worked very well, always checking the smallest detail. They were very professional, which made Michael and I's job a little easier. This championship is really exciting, and is proving to be of a very good level, with teams who know what it takes to be competitive and to win. It is one of the most beautiful championships I have taken part in. »

« For me, working with Maserati is like being with family, continues Bertolini. They know how to motivate me like they did Ferrari in another life. It was once again a pleasure working with Vitaphone. It's a great team, in which everyone wants to do the best possible. They deserve this title because they have done an incredible job all season, whether it was preparing the car or making the pit stops. »