The first round of the new Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo took place at Monza last weekend, with ex-F1 pilot Ivan Capelli scooping pole position for both of the weekend’s two races. Although Capelli could not score points, as he was participating as a VIP guest of Maserati, he was first across the line in the opening race, with Stefano Rota 2.8 seconds behind.

The second race, however, proved less successful for Capelli, who was attempting to pass Rota when there was contact between the two cars. Capelli was forced off the track, while Rota lost a few positions but recovered brilliantly, to reach the chequered flag in fourth place. This time the race was won by Peter Sundberg, with second-placed Manuel Villa just 0.095 seconds behind.

These results put Stefano Rota at the top of the points table after the first round of the series, in which 21 teams were lined up on the grid – at the wheel of 14 GranTurismo MC Trofeos (run by Maserati Corse) and seven GranTurismo MC GT4s in a separate class.

2010 Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo Race Calendar

23 May, Monza, Italy
20 June, Zolder, Belgium
18 July, Brands Hatch, UK
01 August, Brno, Czechoslovakia
05 September, Oschersleben, Germany
19 September, Valencia, Spain
10 October, Mugello, Italy

Text - Charis Whitcombe
Photos - Maserati