www.QV500.com - Ferrari 550 Part 6: 550 GT 'Italtecnica' - 2001 Season

The championship went to Brno in the Czech Republic for Round 2 and Monza's promise was followed up with fifth and sixth place's for Naspetti / Schiattarella and Duez / Blieninger respectively, both sets of drivers coping well with the constantly changing conditions and running towards the front of the field throughout. Naspetti and Schiattarella went one better in 115811 at the Magny Cours 500kms, taking fourth overall while Duez and Blieninger were unlucky to finish outside the points in seventh. Problems for both Rafanelli entries took their toll at Silverstone for Round 4, Duez retiring 107633 with engine problems on lap 32 having been running third. Naspetti and Schiattarella meanwhile experienced persistent brake irregularities and did well to eventually finish fifth after a couple of unscheduled pit stops. Team Rafanelli recorded their best finish of the season at Zolder's 500km race for Round 5 of the championship where, although the pole starting Naspetti was forced to retire after an accident in the early stages, Duez and Blieninger finishing third overall. A ridiculous eligibility disagreement caused the Rafanelli Ferrari's to miss Hungaroring's 500km race with the FIA claiming its doors were illegally modified, this despite the car having run fundamentally unchanged for over 18 months. Round 7, the FIA's showpiece 24 Hour race at Spa Francorchamps saw the Italtecnica 550's reinstated but Rafanelli only entered one car, 115811 being prepared for Naspetti, Steveny, Van de Poele and Chouvel. Starting from second on the grid and leading for much of the opening seven hours, the number five machine unfortunately retired on lap 150 after a spirited display. Subsequently, Round 8 was the last time Italtecnica 550's were seen in the 2001 series, Naspetti retiring with a transmission failure.