Andrea Bertolini

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Andrea Bertolini (December 1, 1973) is an Italian race car driver currently driving for Vitaphone Racing in the FIA GT, he currently lives in Sassuolo. He began racing at a young age and has continued, working as a the youngest ever test driver for Ferrari at 19, working in the experimental and development department and worked on the Maserati MC12 throughout its development[1]. Bertolini has enjoyed a successful career with 5 pole positions.[2]

[edit] Racing History

Andrea Bertolini driving an MC12 at Road Atlanta in the ALMS
Andrea Bertolini driving an MC12 at Road Atlanta in the ALMS

Andrea Bertolini began racing go karts at 11 coming second in the Italian Championship winning championships at a national level and continued to win the CIAK Cup and come second in the Italian 125 Championship in 2000.[1] In 2001 he drove a Porsche 996 GT3-R for Art Engineering in the GT3 division of the FIA GT. [2]In 2002 he moved to JMB Racing driving a Ferrari 360 Modena and continued through 2003 finishing 4th.

In 2004 he moved to the Giesse Squadra Corse team, again driving a 360 Modena and as well as coming 2nd overall, he was awarded the "Driver Performance of the Year".[1][2] Part way through 2004 however, he was offered a position on the Maserati AF Corse team driving their new, GT1 class Maserati MC12, the car he had been involved in developing.[2] He accepted, winning his only race that year at Zhuhai, China with his team mate, former Formula 1 driver, Mika Salo. [3]

In 2005 he returned to JMB Racing but driving an MC12, and having a very successful season. He finished the season tied 4th (with team mate Karl Wendlinger) within 4 points of first.[4]

Andrea Bertolini also raced his MC12 in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2005 but without much success. He made no podium finishes and crashed out on Laguna Seca. He was clipped by another car and went into the pits for minor repairs, his car then slipped on the new (cold) tires damaging the radiator and knocking him out of the race.[5]

For 2006 in the FIA GT, Bertolini moved to Vitaphone Racing Team where he again raced the MC12. He is currently tied for first on the driver standings with his team mate Michael Bartels. They have already secured victory for the Vitaphone team, being out of reach of the next team (Aston Martin Racing BMS).[6] According to Vitaphone Sporting Director, Rafael Calafell, the objective of the team is now to take the drivers' title where Bertolini and team mate Michael Bartels are tied for first.[7][6]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Andrea Bertolini. Vitaphone Racing. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  2. ^ a b c d FIA GT Driver Bio. FIA GT. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  3. ^ FIA GT Standings 2004. Maserati Corse. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  4. ^ FIA GT Standings 2005. Maserati Corse. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  5. ^ Unlucky Race for MC12 at Laguna Seca. Maserati Corse. Retrieved on 2006-10-25.
  6. ^ a b FIA GT Standings 2006. Maserati Corse. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  7. ^ GT1 Team's Title for Vitaphone Racing Team. FIA GT. Retrieved on 2006-11-12.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Gabriele Gardel		 FIA GT Champion
2006 with:
Michael Bartels		 Succeeded by
Thomas Biagi