Longin and Bobbi spearhead Triple H Maserati challenge

17/03/2010

Belgian GT specialist Bert Longin and Italy’s former champion Matteo Bobbi have been paired together in the Triple H Maserati for 2010.

Longin, 44, makes the switch from Corvette having finished third in the FIA GT standings last season at the wheel of a Selleslagh Racing C6-R.

Thirty-one-year-old Bobbi, the 2003 FIA GT champion, recorded six wins, one pole position and seven podium finishes in his title year. He also served as the third driver for the European Minardi Formula One team.

Longin said he was delighted to be joining Triple H and teaming up with Bobbi. “I have just returned from the test days in the south of France, and my choice was fully confirmed,” Longin said.

“Triple H Maserati is one of the two Maserati teams, next to Vitaphone Maserati, in the FIA GT1 World Championship. Both teams work very closely together.

“Something which especially struck me was the fact that the entire radar work is built around and in function with the drivers, which implies that as driver you only need to drive and provide good feedback for the engineers.

“They set the car up to perfection. I have never worked in more professional conditions than these. I also discovered that family atmosphere whereby everyone goes through hell for each another. And that’s close to my heart.

“With Matteo Bobbi as my team mate, you know that we’ll be a fast team. I am looking forward to the start of the first race together.”

Manager Evert Maeschalck confirmed that talks with Triple H and Longin had first taken place towards the end of last year. “It was evident that we needed to be present in this new World Championship with Bert and in the best possible conditions.

“We were in contact with Michael Bartels (the multiple GT champion for Maserati and team manager). Bartels confirmed that he wanted to work with Bert, not only because of his driving skills, but also because of his personality and the image which perfectly blends in with the sporting philosophy of the Maserati team.

“With the support of our partners CPL Trans, Groeikracht, CMO, Soottech and Van Reeth, we finally reached an agreement.”

The Maserati MC12 is one of the most successful cars in the history of GT racing. It has already chalked up 20 victories, including three in the 24 Hours of Spa, and the championship has gone to a Maserati driver on four occasions.

“My initial impression of the car was highly positive,” Longin added. “The MC12 is a pleasure to drive and I’m convinced that our team will be extremely competitive.”

Team manager Bartels said: “I’m pleased that we were able to come to an agreement with Bert because he is the perfect example of professionalism and success. During the previous seasons he has always recorded good results in FIA and I’m convinced that with him we can go after the title in this new FIA GT1 World Championship.”

Bartels believes the debut season of the FIA GT1 World Championship will be intensely competitive.

“It will be a difficult assignment, as were up against more competitors than in previous years, which on the other hand is a good evolution,” he said. “But having worked hard during the winter recess we’re ready to do battle and we look forward to fighting it out in Abu Dhabi.”

Tweet this