The official qualifying session was disputed today in Dubai ahead of the penultimate round of the FIA GT championship. The JMB Racing and Vitaphone Racing Team MC12s performed well despite being hindered by added ballast. The lighter, number 16, MC12 driven by Philippe Peter claimed third on the grid. This followed a second session that witnessed the Maseratis battle it out for the top spots. Bertolini/Wendlinger and Babini/Biagi’s MC12s clocked precisely the same time. However, it will be the number 15 car that will be higher up the grid at is was the first to set 1.56.349. Bartels/Scheider enjoyed a close duel with their stable mates but their greater weight meant that they could not make the decisive break.

Today’s results reflected the amount of ballast carried by the cars. In these conditions, hoping for a place on the front row was inconceivable. One of these positions is occupied by Bouchut/Ortelli’s Aston Martin, a car with no ballast on board and will less strict aerodynamic constraints. The rear wing of the car is enough to highlight this. Next comes the Corvette, loaded down with 50kg of ballast following the win in Zhuhai. However, starting on the front row counts for relatively little in an endurance race.

Saying this, being up front and in a position to pick the best racing line can bring some advantages given that the track surface easily becomes dirty with the sand blown onto it. As per usual, the pit stops and strategy will play a major role in determining the outcome of the race. Additional refuelling stops could prove costly. The Vitaphone Racing Team can make mathematically certain of winning the team title in Dubai. The Drivers Championship is still wide open with Bertolini/Wendlinger on 66 points, ahead of Bartels/Scheider on 62, Gardel on 60 and Babini/Biagi on 59. Maserati already won the Manufacturers’s Cup in anticipation.

The race will take place tomorrow, as this is a Muslim country. The start is timed for 14. Eurosport will broadcast highlights on Sunday at 21.30.