Monza: Raffaele Giammaria race report

It was a bittersweet ending of 2003 Formula 3000 Championship for Raffaele Giammaria. Slightly bitter for Monza race, which Raffaele had to finish before final: in fact a very important season for the Italian driver is going to end, where Raffaele showed to be one of the frontrunners of F.I.A. Formula 3000 International.

Giammaria had made his debut in F.3000 at Imola, finishing in the points and repeating this result also at Nuerburgring, Magny Cours and Hungaroring. But the best result had been the historic podium taken by the rookie Giammaria in

Monaco Grand Prix.

Italian Grand Prix too began well for Durango driver: in fact, after an excellent start, Raffaele passed immediately Bell, but the American­who regained his position thanks to a chicane cutting- made a mistake at Roggia and forced Giammaria to go out on the gravel. Raffaele lost two positions but not his fighting spirit: he did pass Schmidt with a great overtaking on the outfield line at Variante Ascari to attack then again Bell.

On the third lap Raffaele took advantage of a Bell's mistake and tried to overtake him on the Parabolica: Raffaele was completing the manoeuvre when Bell closed him roughly, damaging a suspension of a Durango's Lola.

Giammaria's race ended on lap 3.

"Unfortunately the race went not so good, even if I made a good start and a nice overtaking on the outfield. I'm sure that podium would have been in my reach but this time I was really unlucky. But the season is certainly positive, I took a podium at Monaco and I finished in the points nearly every race. My goal was to gather experience in sight of the next season and the final result is better than expectations.

I want to thank my team and Ivone Pinton, who allowed me to race in one of the most important championship of the motoring scene and I want to thank also my sponsors, who supported me this year. Thanks first of all to Enel, Regione Lazio, Tecnocar, Despe, Simat, Printer and of course to Civitavecchia Municipality. 2003 was a very good basis for the next championship which I hope will give me great satisfactions".

-www.raffaelegiammaria.com-