An exciting comeback by Andrea Montermini has allowed the crew of the former Italian F.1 driver and Juan Manuel Lopez to finish race-2 of the seventh round of the International GT Open on third place behind the wheel of the Ferrari 458 of the Super Gt class
Monza (Italy), September 30th, 2012. A stunning comeback allowed the aabar Abu Dhabi Villorba racing with Ferrari Team to finish third in race-2 of the seventh round of the International GT Open at Monza. The Italian squad led by Raimondo Amadio strongly fought for such a result in the home-race and celebrated a great Sunday race on the podium with race drivers Andrea Montermini and Juan Manuel Lopez, who, for the whole weekend, have been among the major contenders behind the wheel of the Ferrari 458 of the Super GT class.
At the legendary Monza circuit, today Lopez had a good start from the third row when a hard contact with one of his opponents approaching the second chicane pushed him to the track limits relegating his supercar from Maranello in ninth position. On lap ten the young Argentine, who meanwhile moved up to seventh place, left the wheel to the former Italian F.1 driver during the mandatory pit-stop for driver change. Back on track, a super Montermini started a long series of very fast laps catching up different positions and exciting the great Italian fans. At the end of the race the aabar Abu Dhabi Villorba crew and the whole team could celebrate a well deserved result on the podium, closing the Monza weekend in a positive way.
"It was a very challenging round - says Raimondo Amadio, Team Principal -. We had to face unpredictable weather in race-1 and rough fights in race-2 but the perfect understanding within the team allowed us to finish the Italian event of GT Open on the podium."
"I pushed to the limit - says Montermini - and I really did my best despite a severe understeer. The race was difficult but, at least, we were able to achieve an exciting result which has a very special value here in Monza.
"Unfortunately - says Lopez -, our race was affected by that contact after the start. Actually it was a double contact and it broke both our rearview mirrors. Having no space to go we lost several positions, forcing the team to a not easy comeback."
