Fisichella's Maserati Hopes Derailed

By Jamie Makin
July 10 2004

Giancarlo Fisichella's chance to race the Maserati MC12 GT in its debut race in the FIA GT Championship has disappeared due to the FIA rejecting the supercar's entry into the series.

It was anticipated that Fisichella would partner former Sauber and Ferrari driver Mika Salo for the race at Imola in September of this year. The Maserati MC12 GT is based on the Ferrari Enzo and 49 will be produced for commerical sale. Although the FIA relaxed requirements for Maserati that 100 road cars be built, it refused homologation of the race car apparently due to an issue with front and rear overhang dimensions.

Maserati has yet to comment, but is expected to already be working on a revised version of the car to comply with FIA and ACO regulations. It is likely that the car will not actually race until 2006. This means that Fisichella will have to continue to wait on his dream to come closer to racing for Ferrari.

---