TotalMotorSport All the latest Motorsport news, race reports and photographs from around the world. Alms, Touring Cars, Formula One & Le Mans 24 Hours

Barcelona

08/04/2001

Qualifying

Report

Ferrari 333SPs can still do it in Europe - reigning champion Christian Pescatori took pole position for the opening round of the ‘new’ FIA Sportscar Championship with a 1:34.399, over a second clear of one of the new chassis, the Pescarolo Courage C60.

“The car has not changed, and the team has worked very hard to adapt to the Goodyear tyres,” said the Italian. “We’ve developed the aerodynamics too, and things look good so far.”

“We’ve found a good balance, but I think we could have done better – but maybe not enough to actually catch the Ferrari,” explained Sabastien Bourdais.

GLV Brums will start in third place, first time out with the Judd in their Ferrari. “Considering we first tried the new engine on Friday,” said Achim Stroth, “we are quite pleased but the important thing is that there is a lot more time to come from the car and the engine.” Hopefully enough to beat a standard 333SP.

The Ascari will start fifth, behind the second BMS Ferrari, the ‘gentlemen’s’ car. “We know the pace of the car from the last couple of days and we are more concerned with getting a good race balance and taking it from there,” said new TM Ian Dawson.

The Domes will start sixth and last in SR1. Last spot goes to John Nielsen and Hiroki Katoh, sixth to the Racing For Holland car. Nielsen’s chassis had another accident today, again probably not driver error. Rounding Turn 5, Nielsen’s car turned sharp left. Damage to the nosebox of the car was not as extensive as first feared and it should start the race. Damage to the Dane was also relatively superficial, fortunately. He was badly winded and suffered bruising to his chest. “I don’t know if it was driver error or something went on the car, but as I put the power on, it just went away from me.”

Jan Lammers was quick enough for the third row in what is still the first week of activity for his car.

Mark Smithson was next up in the new Reynard.

SR2 was very close at the front, just 20 thousandths between the Swedish Lola and the Rowan Pilbeam. Thed Bjork took the pole, just ahead of Martin O’Connell.

Ian Flux was an excellent third in the Rapier 6, in touch with the front row pair. The rest of the SR2s are two seconds or more off the pace.