02 September 2001

FIA International Formula 3000 - Spa Francorchamps (pictures here)

Giorgio Pantano qualified 19th for the Belgian Grand prix support race - the penultimate event of the season - this was after the buzz of scoring his first championship points in the last round at Hungary and after qualifying fourth fastest in the first session at Spa on Friday. Giorgio was consistenly setting times with the front runners and was 1.5 seconds up on the pole at during one lap before his front brakes locked up and lost him time at the Bus Stop. Giorgio's best lap in qualifying would have placed him 8th on the grid but the time was disallowed after using too much of the run-off at the Bus Stop.

Giorgio climbed through the field to take 11th place at the flag whilst Justin Wilson was crowned champion after the retirement of Mark Webber. The race proved as frustrating as qualifying for Giorgio and he commented afterwards that he simply did not have the pace and did not know why.

Porsche Pirelli Supercup - Spa Francorchamps

Jesper Carlsen qualifed in 17th with Jacky van der Ende in 20th - the pair were disappointed with the performance although were frustrated with yellow flags which were in evidence whilst they were trying to qualify. Looking at the session afterwards it became clear that they had only recorded two timed laps in the fastest of the sessions.

In the race Jesper Carlsen suffered yet another retirement after just half a lap due to an electrical failure. Jesper had passed a handful of cars in the short distance he completed but again found himself spectating a somewhat processional race. Jacky drove well to take 13th place at the flag.