Qualifying 1: Zonta takes pole number seven

The Brazilian set a time of 1m25.823, over three-tenths of a second clear of nearest challenger Jean-Christophe Ravier. Zonta's fastest lap came late in the session after a red flag stoppage to collect Franck Montagny's damaged car, and no-one threatened to deny him his seventh pole of the year.

Ravier, who lies fifth in the championship and has one race victory in the series to his name, has struggled for consistency this season, but improved on his practice form to earn a front-row start. Fellow Frenchman Montagny ended the session a creditable fifth despite missing the final third of the session after his accident.

Belgian Bas Leinders, who is battling Montagny for second in the championship, jumped from fifth to third with his final flying lap, relegating European F3000 champion Jaime Melo Jr to fourth place.

Narain Karthikeyan, who had been in stunning form during practice, ended up a disappointed seventh, which made him four places better off than Briton Justin Wilson. Wilson ended the session only 11th on the grid, his second-worst starting position of the season, and he was still not happy with the handling of his car.

The Sperafico brothers, Ricardo and Rodrigo, will start 12th and 13th, with Red Bull scholarship winner Paul Edwards 17th ahead of the CART bound Roberto Gonzalez.


Ricardo Zonta (Gabord Competition), 1m25.823s
Jean-Christophe Ravier (Epsilon by Graff), 1m26.139s
Bas Leinders (KTR), 1m26.162s
Jaime Melo (Zele Motorsport), 1m26.186s
Franck Montagny (Racing Engineering), 1m26.262s
Antonio Garcia (Campos Motorsport), 1m26.281s
Narain Karthikeyan (RC Motorsport), 1m26.332s
Tuka Rocha (Gabord Competition), 1m26.447s
Polo Vilaamil (Campos Motorsport), 1m26.477s
Ander Vilarino (Epsilon by Graf), 1m26.596s