15 April 2001

FIA International Formula 3000 Championship - San Marino (pictures here)

Giorgio Pantano might have come away empty-handed from the second round of the FIA Formula 3000 Championship - but he proved what might have been by setting fourth fastest race lap on his way to 11th place.

As he had during the opening round of the series in Brazil, the Astromega Lola driver showed great speed in qualifying, He lined up fifth on the grid but, once again, his race chances were ruined by an incident shortly after the start.

"I got away really well," Pantano said, "and was fourth by the time we reached the first braking area. I tried to stay to the right of the track, because I could see the first three cars were bunching up, but I felt a nudge from the back and that sent me onto the grass. By the time I was back on the track I had slipped to 11th. That was frustrating, because it is almost impossible to overtake at Imola and I knew I was in for a difficult afternoon through no fault of my own."

By the 19th lap of 31, Pantano was up to ninth place - but an incident with rival Andrea Piccini compromised his chances of making further progress. "I was trying to catch a couple of cars ahead," Giorgio said, "but I made a mistake at one of the chicanes and was slightly slow as I came out of the corner. That allowed Piccini to draw alongside me, but he pulled across and almost put me on the grass. If I hadn't backed off we would have had a big crash.

"It might have been a frustrating race, but at least I can draw something positive from it. My best lap time was only a fraction slower than winner Mark Webber's, so I am confident we have the speed to fight for victories. I'm looking forward to proving that when we get to the next race."

Astromega team boss Sam Boyle added. "Last year we ran Fernando Alonso, a young driver who is making a name for himself in Formula One. We can see a lot of things in Giorgio that remind us of Fernando. He is a determined racer - and very fast."

The FIA F3000 series continues in Barcelona on April 28.

1st M. Webber, 2nd, D. Manning, 3rd T. Enge, 4th A. Pizzonia, 5th F. Friesacher, 6th J. Wilson, 7th R. Sperafico Coloni, 8th F. Gollin, 9th B. Leinders, 10th V. Maslov, 11th G. Pantano.