Sao Paulo news from the teams: LMGTE

AF Corse

After victories at Le Mans and Silverstone, the AF Corse crew of Gianmaria Bruni and Giancarlo Fisichella took a third consecutive win, in the Sao Paolo 6 Hours, totally dominating the LM GTE-PRO class in the No. 51 car. Throughout the race, they battled with the Darren Turner-Stefan Mucke Aston Martin, the win coming courtesy of their experience, a well thought out strategy featuring one stop less than their rivals and the sheer speed of the 458 Italia.

For more information:  http://corseclienti.ferrari.com/2012en/2012/09/wec-%e2%80%93-historic-win-af-corse-sao-paolo-6-hours

Photo: AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL), 6 HOURS OF SAO PAULO, SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, RACE. The GT field at the start of the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo.

Team Felbermayr-Proton

In the Autodromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, Porsche made a good start into the second half of the World Endurance Championship season. At the wheel of Felbermayr-Proton’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) scored third place in the GTE Pro class on the Grand Prix circuit on the outskirts of the megacity Sao Paulo. After their victory in Spa-Francorchamps and second place at the season-opener in Sebring, this marks their third podium placing this season. Even more successful were Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti, who finished second in the GTE Am category with the Felbermayr-Proton Porsche of the 2011 model year.

For more information:  http://www.porsche.com/international/motorsportandevents/motorsport/news/

Photo: AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL), 6 HOURS OF SAO PAULO, SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, RACE. Richard Lietz (without helmet) talking to Team Felbermayr-Proton team mate Marc Lieb before the start of the race.

Aston Martin Racing

Aston Martin Racing finished second in the GTE Pro class in the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Six Hours of Sao Paulo, achieving its best WEC result to-date.  Starting from pole position in the #97 Vantage GTE, Stefan Mücke (D) planned to push hard from the start to maintain the lead and extend it throughout the race. However, an LMP2 incident on the first lap held up the GTE Pro class leader, while its competitors avoided it on the outside. Although it escaped unharmed, the Gulf-liveried #97 Vantage re-entered the pack in fourth place and set about climbing back up through the pack.

For more information:  http://www.astonmartin.com/racing

Photo: AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL), 6 HOURS OF SAO PAULO, SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, RACE. The No.97 Aston Martin Vantage V8.

Krohn Racing

The No. 57 Krohn Racing GTE-Am Team had high hopes for a podium finish at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo race at the Interlagos circuit today. Those hopes were dashed on the first lap when Krohn starting driver Michele Rugolo had no place to go when two Prototypes spun in Turn Four. He ended up punting the rear of the No. 61 Ferrari. The resulting damage was severe to the chassis, causing the popular team to retire after a thorough assessment of the damage.

For more information:  http://www.krohnracing.net/

Photo: AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL), 6 HOURS OF SAO PAULO, SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, RACE.  Krohn Racing's No.57 Ferrari 458 Italia in the LMGTE Am class.