Bartels and Bertolini take FIA GT1 title in Argentina

 
Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini have wrapped up this year’s FIA GT1 Championship, putting the title beyond their rivals in the qualifying race of this weekend’s event at the Potrero de los Funes circuit in Argentina.

The Vitaphone-Maserati pairing finished down in 12th following contact with Christopher Haase's Reiter Lamborghini, but with sole title rivals Darren Turner and Tomas Enge (Young Driver Aston Martin) also failing to score they were now home and hosed.

The qualifying race was won by the Hexis Aston Martin of Yann Clairay and Frederic Makowiecki. Clairay took the lead at the start and survived a first corner collision with poleman Stefan Mucke (Young Driver Aston Martin) to keep his nose in front.

Clairay was then able to extend his lead and a quick turnaround in the pits saw Makowiecki retain P1. He eventually came home 13 seconds clear of the Richard Westbrook/Thomas Mutsch (Matech) and Maxime Martin/Bas Leinders (Marc VDS Racing) Ford Cammers.

Makowiecki and Clairay then went on to dominate the championship race, ensuring a double victory for the Hexis Aston Martin team at the Argentine venue.

Westbrook and  Mutsch secured second spot, 13 seconds in arrears of the victorious Aston. This was enough to promote Mutsch to second in the drivers' standings. Completing the top three was the second Hexis car of Clivio Piccione and Jonathan Hirschi, whilst new champions Bertolini and Bartels ended the season with a seventh place finish.

Turner and Enge - who spent the weekend carrying 40kg of success ballast - again failed to register points, finishing 15th and last. Having been in title contention ahead of the event they end the season fourth in the standings.

Their Young Driver Aston Martin team also lost out in Potrero de los Funes, with the strong weekend enjoyed by the Hexis team promoting them to second in the team's championship, behind the Vitaphone squad.

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James Weeks.