Italia: Imola first qualifying report

FILIPPI SCORED THE PROVISIONAL POLE FOR FISCHELLA

STEFANO GATTUSO SET THE PACE IN THE LIGHT CLASS

IMOLA - The Giancarlo Fisichella driver, Luca Filippi, scored the provisional pole position in Imola after the first Qualifying session. Just under the chequered flag the Italian driver overtook the Finn Toni Vilander (Astromega) and Raffaele Giammaria (BCN), whose were leading by only one tenth ahead of Maro Engel (Durango). The battle for the first two row between the forth drivers has been very exciting: all the drivers used only one set of new tyres and now we all expect a tough 2nd Qualifying session.

Luca Filippi - P1: "I am very happy for the pole; my Lola B02/50 was performing very well and I was able to took the best time after 5 lap on new tyres. I am very confident for the race because we qualified with a lot of fuel on the car and we found a good set-up for the race. I don't think we will improve during the second qualifying session due to the very high temperature on the track." Toni Vilander: "I have been driving at hundred per cent and I am happy about my performance. We will work for the race set-up during the Qualifying 2: I think that will be very difficult to improve times this afternoon."

In the Light Class, the championship leader Stefano Gattuso (Vanni Racing Team), took the provisional pole position: "I am happy for the pole but I will try to improve my time and to battle for a better position in the general classification. Here the gap between my Lola B99/50 and the new car is larger than other circuit, but I think we are able to start in the first 5 rows on the grid."

The McLaren Autosport Award Driver Alex Lloyd (GP Racing) scored the 11th time (1'41"850), at his debut in Imola. The Briton has been improving his times step by step: "I tried to find the right feeling with the car and the Team. I will do my best for improve my starting position this afternoon." The Italian rookie Giacomo Piccini (Euronova) took the 13th position.

The track conditions today were very difficult for the drivers with more than 35° C on the asphalt: Avon Tyres -the championship Official Supplier - did a great job providing a very performing and stable tyres.

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