22/05/2008
NEWS STORY
Trident Racing - Mike Conway (3rd) Ho Pin Tung (22nd)
Trident Racing had a perfect start at Monte Carlo, as Mike Conway took third place in today's qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix. The joy for the 2nd-row starting spot captured by the British driver partially compensated the disappointment for the mistake committed by Ho Pin Tung, who ended his session early after clipping the inside barriers at swimming pool. Mike clocked his fastest lap with four minutes to go, right before a red flag forced all the cars to come back to the pits due to an accident. In the final stages, no driver was able to improve, and the charts were unchanged.
Mike Conway: "I had a good feeling since this morning's free practice, as I was constantly into the top-4. Unfortunately I was forced to stay into the pits due to a technical problem in the second part of the session, while other drivers managed to improve their best laps. We finally had the chance to prove our potential, despite the huge traffic and the fact that I preferred to go easy and avoid troubles. In the final minutes of qualifying I managed to find a clean lap, pushing really hard and clocking what resulted to be the third fastest time of the day. I could have even clinched front row without a small error in the middle section, but it's ok. I know tomorrow's race will be extremely tough, but I think I'll have a clear shot to a podium finish".
Ho Pin Tung: "I made an irreversible mistake in the initial stages of qualifying. There's not a lot to add, except that I really had a top-10 potential. I touched the kerb at swimming pool and I ended up into the barriers. I hope to be able to come back during the first race: it won't be impossible on such a selective track".
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Managing Director: "It's tough not to be satisfied with today's results. We were deeply convinced to have a well-performing car, and we were targeting a front row start with Mike and a top-10 position with Ho Pin. Mike was great in qualifying despite a problem that cut his practice session short and prevented him from completing his programmed work. Today's third place, with just two tenths of a second from the pole time, is a great result mainly due to the efforts of Mike and our three engineers, Graziano Michelacci, Daniele Rossi and Matteo Frolino. That said, this time I wish I wouldn't have to content myself: Ho Pin will start in 21st after an unfortunate off-track happened while having set his best splits in the first two sectors. The Chinese driver has obviously a much higher potential than shown by his starting position. Strategy will be crucial tomorrow, and the team have already started to work in order to enable our drivers to set sights on the best possible result".
Racing Engineering - Giorgio Pantano (5th) Giorgio Pantano (19th)
Luck, always such a part of racing at Monaco, both on and off the track, again played a decisive role in the qualifying session that decides the starting grid for the first race of the weekend at the Monegasque track.
Getting a clean lap without the traffic that could impede the driver from giving his best not to mention the many yellow and red flags which are so usual because of the incidents that always occur on the Monaco track is almost as difficult as guessing the winning number at the roulette wheel of its famous casino. Despite the fact that both Racing Engineering drivers were looking for the final prize they couldn't get the reward they were seeking with both men having to settle for places further back than they would have liked for tomorrow's race.
At least Giorgio Pantano finally finished near to the pole he was aiming for after running really quickly throughout day and scoring the fifth fastest time in the decisive session. This despite, when he was looking for a better time with his second set of fresh tyres, getting involved in the frantic traffic jam at the end of the session that prevented him from finding the clean lap needed to be involved in the fight for first position on the grid.
Javier Villa had worse luck, as his best lap was totally ruined by a red flag triggered by one of his competitors having one of the several contacts with the barriers that occurred during qualifying. This left the Spaniard with no other option than to abort his attempt to be in the front rows of the starting grid, finishing in 18th position which means he will have to move up a lot tomorrow to, at least, get close to the point scoring positions.
Nevertheless the most positive outcome of the day for Racing Engineering was that, once more, both the Repsol and Telefónica backed Dallaras worked perfectly being always competitive and without any problems. Thus the two drivers of the Spanish team will have, for tomorrow's first race of the weekend, the perfect conditions to fight for a good result as well as a better starting position for Saturday's sprint race.
Alfonso de Orleans Borbón (team principal): "Giorgio did quite well considering the extreme amount of traffic he encountered. We know he could have done much better, but considering the circumstances we are happy. Javi obviously found himself in a worse situation as right when he was on his fast lap the red flag being shown didn't help. The cars were once more in very good condition and the entire crew did a great job. So we should be ready for tomorrow's race."
Javier Villa: "It was really difficult in both free practice and qualification, with 26 cars on the track we impede each other all the time. I did just a lap at the beginning of the session and I was sixth, but later we couldn't do anymore. I feel very comfortable with the car and that gives me positive feelings for tomorrow. It will be a tough race starting at the back so we'll have to wait and see as it's a long race."
Giorgio Pantano: "We know it is difficult to find a clear lap here. On second set of tyres I didn't have a clear lap at all, so there wasn't much I could do. Tomorrow we will try to do our best and do a good race."
DAMS - Jerome d'Ambrosio (10th) Kamui Kobayashi (17th)
Today, DAMS took part in free practice and qualifying for the third round of the 2008 GP2 Championship on the prestigious Monaco circuit. Kamui Kobayashi and Jerome d'Ambrosio spent the 30 minute morning session fine-tuning their set-up, and in the case of the Japanese learning the layout. Qualifying was typical Monaco as the drivers had to cope with the traffic, keep an eye out for yellow flags and nurse their tyres as the track evolved.
Jerome and Kamui will start from 9th and 16th positions tomorrow. Both DAMS drivers moved up a place after one of their competitors was hit by a penalty. A top 8 finish looks on the cards, which will enable them to score some points and start higher up on Saturday's grid.
After four races DAMS is in 8th place in the championship with 8 points.
Eric Boullier, team manager: "Monaco is unique and we knew that luck would play a part in dictating qualifying results. We took a bet with Jerome who knew the circuit as he had already raced here in single-seaters, and it paid off. Kamui was unlucky. He had to learn the circuit while coping with the yellow flags and getting 100% out of his car. He made no mistakes and can hope for a good result."
Jerome d'Ambrosio: "I'm satisfied with this position even if I know that I could have done a bit better. The team took the gamble to send me out with more fuel than my rivals. This meant that I was able to stay out when they pitted to change tyres so I had a clear track. I'm really hoping to score my first points of the season tomorrow. A place in the first eight would allow me to start higher up on the grid on Saturday."
Kamui Kobayashi: "It's been a difficult day. I'd never driven in Monaco before and I had only thirty minutes' free practice this morning to learn the circuit. It was a bit tight given the job in hand! I got caught up in traffic and there were plenty of yellow flags. But I think that's fairly usual here! For tomorrow my aim is to get into the top eight. It's not impossible and I'll do my best to achieve it."
Super Nova International - Alvaro Parente (11th) Christian Bakkerud (15th)
GP2 moved into the fourth round of the 2008 Championship this week, taking to the streets of Monte Carlo, Monaco; considered by many as the highlight of the season.
Following on from this morning's free practice, Super Nova settled for two mid field grid positions for tomorrow's feature race, after a very promising start to this afternoons qualifying session. Alvaro Parente was amongst the early pace setters, topping the times on his first set of tyres (1:21.7). Team mate Christian Bakkerud returned, having missed the last round in Istanbul, looking fit & strong, sitting amid the ever-changing top ten.
Traffic ultimately prevented any time improvements for the team when new tyres were fitted in second half of the session. And so finally after a red flag delayed the last few minutes of the session after a BCN car went into the wall, Alvaro qualified 10th and Christian 14th. Pastor Maldonado, an experienced driver here was quickest today, followed by Bruno Senna & Mike Conway, the times incredibly close.
Unlike previous years, GP2 drivers will get the chance to race not once but twice around this famously tight street circuit, since the schedule has been modified to host a Friday and Saturday GP2 race, for the very first time.
Team Principal David Sears: "After 20 minutes of qualifying Alvaro Parente was fastest of the 26 drivers competing. However on his second new set of tyres Alvaro did not get one clear lap & therefore did not improve his time and ended up in 10th. The sad thing is his sector times showed he should have been on the front row.
Christian Bakkerud returned to the cockpit fully recovered from his back injury, & again ran in the top 10 for most of the session. Only to be bumped down to 14th place at the end. Again Christian was unlucky with yellow flags and & getting a clear lap. Tomorrow's a race of attrition; if our drivers get to the finish line they will definitely score points!"
Alvaro Parente: "It should have been a lot better, so I'm pretty disappointed really. On my second set of tyres didn't get a single clear lap. As with a lot of drivers I think. Obviously this is so important, especially here. But everything felt really good, so I'll just have to do my best tomorrow."
Christian Bakkerud: "Well I'm pretty pleased really. I've had no back pain, which good. We were both quick today, although I think we could have done better, but hey its Monaco, it's hard to get a good lap here. Starting as far back as 14th is a pain, but hopefully I can miss all the first corner collisions and have a clean race. I'm looking forward to it!"