Running under the colours of Middle-East Aston Martin, the Russian Age Racing DBR9 converted pole position into a win at 2005's last FIA GT race at Sakhir, Bahrain. After three pole positions for the nr 17 car, Frenchman Christophe Bouchut finally won, helped admirably by his new team-mate, Antonio Garcia.

The duo put in a strong performance, taking the lead at the start, pulling away and only briefly dropping back during the pit stops. Despite his limited time in the car, Garcia pulled away from Philipp Peter (JMB Racing Maserati MC12) during his time on the track, and was frequently the fastest man on the track. He could then hand over the car with a healthy lead to Bouchut, which the Frenchman held until the end.



However the overall win for Aston must be considered in the light of Michael Bartels and Timo Scheider winning the GT1 class of the FIA GT championship The two Vitaphone Racing Team drivers came home fourth, the best placed finishers among the drivers going for the title.

Maserati has capped an extraordinary year, having already already secured the GT1 class Constructors' Cup at Istanbul and the team title (Vitaphone Racing Team) at Dubai. Five wins and twenty podium finishes in eleven races demonstrate the high standard of the Maserati MC12s.

Results:

1. Bouchut/Garcia Aston Martin DBR9
2. Peter/Davies Maserati MC12 GT1
3. Longin/Kumpen/Hezemans Corvette C5R
4 .Bartels/Scheider Maserati MC12 GT1
5. Cioci/Montermini Ferrari 575 Maranello GTC
6. Lechner/Ruberti Saleen S7 R

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: FIA GT/DPPI - Strictly Copyright