29/11/2008
NEWS STORY
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Lucas di Grassi will start from pole at the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs tomorrow at Ingleses Kart Track, in Florianópolis (Brazil).
The Renault test-driver outpaced the most scintillating stars of the party, led by local hero and event promoter Felipe Massa, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, Force India third driver Vitantonio Liuzzi and Rubens Barrichello.
The first race of the double-header format starts at 14:15 (ECT), while the second is scheduled to begin at 17:00, both with a length of 25 minutes plus one lap. Eurospost shows the action live and a live time service will be available at cronomap.com.
Massa failed to qualify in the Top 10 and was not allowed to fight for pole in Top Qualifying. He crashed heavily during the morning free practice and paid the price of the damage incurred. "I was approaching the corner and suddenly a white horse crossed the track, I tried to avoid him, but I could not", he joked. "The kart was never quite the same anymore, but for tomorrow I will change the chassis. It's going to be a difficult recovery as the field is very competitive."
Di Grassi could not hide his joy. "As the quickest in the combined qualifying sessions, I could be either the first or the last to make my attempt. I chose to be the last, but it started raining right after the beginning. Fortunately, the track got dry after just a few minutes and was at its best when I went for my flying lap. I took a good look at Liuzzi's and Barrichello's laps and that allowed me to push even harder."
Schumacher was the first to benefit from the improving track conditions, only to be beaten. "Di Grassi did a very good job and a fantastic lap, but the track got drier towards the end of the session. Anyway, the important thing here is to be placed into the Top 10. Tomorrow's race is going to be a long one and a lot of things still can happen."
Grid positions:
1) Lucas Di Grassi, 42s592
2) Vitantonio Liuzzi, 42s707
3) Rubens Barrichello, 42s809
4) Michael Schumacher, 43s222
5) Thiago Camilo, 43s342
6) Antonio Pizzonia, 45s090
7) Allam Khodair, 45s162
8) Ricardo Zonta, 45s535
9) Max Wilson, 46s290
10) Marcos Gomes, 46s942
11) Luciano Burti
12) Felipe Massa
13) Felipe Giaffone
14) Xandinho Negrão
15) João Paulo Oliveira
16) Popó Bueno
17) Vitor Meira
18) Alexandre Barros
19) Luca Badoer
20) Tony Kanaan
21) Tarso Marques
22) Ricardo Mauricio
23) Mario Moraes
24) Roberto Pupo Moreno
25) Jeff Gordon
26) Luis Tedesco