Maserati has presented to the FIA the 25 MC12 road version, ready to be delivered to customers, alongside three racing models: the one unveiled the last March at the Geneva Show and the couple that will make the debut in Imola for AF
Corse.
Maserati is making a very welcome return to racing and, in the process, to its very earliest roots. In fact, it was Maserati’s enormous success in races, courtesy of some legendary drivers and an insatiable thirst for innovation, that helped created the legend of the Trident marque. A F1 World title in 1957 was delivered by Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel of the magnificent 250 F. The same model that helped the Argentinean to win another title in 1954.
The last victory its last came long after Maserati official retirement from racing at the end of '57, courtesy of Cooper in 1967 (F1 South African GP, driver Pedro Rodriguez, 12-cylinder Cooper- Maserati). The Trident’s most glittering triumphs in the sports prototype category, however, have to be its Targa Florio, Buenos Aires 1000 Km and Nürburgring victories. Wilbur Shaw’s two wins in the Indy 500 (1939-1940) at the wheel of the 8CTF, also have a very special place in the Trident story.
"The history of Maserati is one of sporting success, splendid and fascinating automobiles and exclusive clients,” Martin Leach (Maserati C.E.O) declared. “We have completed the series of 25 MC12 roadcars and they are ready for delivery to the clients and the track cars in which we will make our racing return to an international championship are being prepared. For us then, it is an important historic moment".
The same concept has been underlined by Claudio Berro (Director Maserati Corse)….
"It is an exciting moment as it marks the return of a great automobile manufacturer to competition after a gap of thirty years. All the cars have been completed and selected and so all that remains is for the track to give its verdict. We believe that we have worked well over the past two years".
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