British stand-ins promising at Monaco

Briton Jamie Davies, Fortec's substitute for Mario Haberfeld, appears to have re-discovered the form that saw him fighting for the 1997 F3000 championship, by qualifying on the second row at Monaco.

Meanwhile, fellow Englishman Marc Hynes, who has replaced Hidetoshi Matsusada, comfortably qualified for the race despite being a Monaco rookie.

Davies was eighth after the first session, using his experience around the tricky street circuit to good effect.

At the end of the second session, he leapt up to third behind David Saelens and Bruno Junqueira, only to be bumped down a further spot when Gauloises Junior driver Stephane Bourdais jumped to a surprise second.

The Somerset man was third at the Principality with the DAMS team in 1998, and claims the circuit rewards the skilful driver more than most.

"You can always make something up at Monaco," said the former AUTOSPORT young driver of the year.

Meanwhile, Hynes finished the first session in 25th place, one spot away from not qualifying. In the crash strewn second session, he pushed the WRT Lola securely into the race, by moving up a further five places.

The reigning British F3 champion had several laps spoiled by spinning cars, or drivers on an in -or out -lap. He eventually found a relatively clear track, to record a lap of 1m30.584.