Zolder 1: Monteiro wins

The Carlin driver began the race on pole, made a fantastic getaway and established a five-second lead by the third lap. Thereafter there was no need for him to push: victory was straightforward whilst many of his rivals struggled on the dusty old track.

Behind Monteiro were Enrique Bernoldi (GD Racing) and Indian Narain Karthikeyan (Carlin Motorsport), and although Bernoldi had at least one excursion off-track, Karthikeyan was rarely close enough to think seriously about passing, especially with the thick layer of dust on the track on the approach to the first corner.

Heikki Kovalainen had to get past Ander Vilarino early on, bravely forcing the Spaniard into an error at the aforementioned first turn. Then the Pons driver got pretty close to Karthikeyan before almost sliding off himself at the same corner. After that his challenge for third was over.

Kovalainen will start the second race on pole position this afternoon. It gets underway at 13.20 local time.


Tiago Monteiro (Carlin Motorsport) 25m18.423
Enrique Bernoldi (GD Racing) +6.315s
Narain Karthikeyan (RC Motorsport)
Heikki Kovalainen (Pons Racing)
Bruce Jouanny (KTR)