11/09/2009
NEWS STORY
Roldan Rodriguez has laid down a marker to the rest of the field by claiming top spot on the timesheets in this morning's free practice session in Monza, leading the way from Lucas di Grassi and Javier Villa.
Rodriguez led the running for almost the entire session, with his best lap of 1:30.607, set only 6 minutes into the session, proving to be untouchable by the remainder of the field, which was shortened by one driver when Stefano Coletti was judged to be unable to take part as a result of the injuries picked up in his big crash at Spa.
Most of the field were able to stay out of trouble ahead of this afternoon's qualifying session, although the fabled Parabolica claimed a few scalps: Alvaro Parente and Pastor Maldonado ran into the tyre wall, while Alberto Valerio escaped serious damage after glancing the barrier there.
Behind the top three Nico Hulkenberg, Vitaly Petrov, Diego Nunes, Giedo van der Garde, Maldonado, Edoardo Mortara and Luca Filippi were all within a second of the top time, promising a battle royale this afternoon.