CR Scuderia enjoyed a fine start to life in the
FIA GT Championship after Andrew Kirkaldy and Rob Bell followed up their pole position at
Silverstone with a second place finish in the first round of the year.
Bell started the race in the #56
Ferrari 430 before handing over to Kirkaldy for the run to the flag, although the new team was unable to take the fight to the winning AF Corse car of Toni Vilander and Gianmaria Bruni.
However, a second place finish was still a good start to the campaign for the new team.
"When I joined the race it felt more like a test day as there were no cars anywhere near me for a while," he said. "I think AF Corse had an advantage over us today as we didn't make the right tyre choice at the start. We're here to win but second place is a great start and we can build on that and make improvements before Monza."
Team chief Chris Niarchos started the race in #55 and fought his way up to ninth after slipping back with a spin at Copse on lap one. After a fine drive by the ever popular Greek/Canadian, Tim Mullen went out and finished the job, taking a solid fifth place finish for the team.
"As a team our expectations are very high," Niarchos admitted. "I was slightly disappointed that we didn't win after taking pole position but when I reflect on what we've done as a new team, in tricky conditions, against a competitive field, I am delighted.
"We go away from Silverstone full of confidence for the season ahead. Sure, we made a few mistakes, but we can correct those and move onwards and upwards. I am very proud of every single member of this team."
