Barcelona: Pantano pressure pays

Bourdais made a good start from pole and moved to the inside line to fend off the challenge of Tomas Enge into the first corner. A mistake by the former Prost F1 man later in the lap allowed Pantano up into second and for the next half of the race the first two disappeared into the distance.

To begin with Pantano seemed content to sit behind the Frenchman and try to assess his weaknesses, but when Enge started to appear in his mirrors once more he began looking for a potential passing place.

At the head of the field Bourdais settled into a defensive rythymn, moving to protect the inside line wherever possible. Pantano looked to the inside and out into T1, but could not find a way around the Super Nova Lola. His pressure started to tell in the final 10 laps however, as Bourdais starting locking wheels and making small mistakes.

With three laps to go Pantano managed to get alongside through Turn 10 after another lock-up, but Bourdais had the inside line for the next corner and held station. Just when it seemed as though the Coloni driver would to settle for second fortune dealt him a lucky break.

Going into Turn Seven for the final time Bourdais locked his front wheels once more. However, this time he wouldn't get away with it, and he veared off into the gravel trap. A delighted Pantano sailed by to claim his second F3000 win, his first of 2002. Enge was a fortunate second, while Bourdais managed to drag his car back onto the circuit to trundle home a despondent third.

Pantano and Bourdais are now level in the championship on 14 points, but the leader is still Rodrigo Sperafico.

For race results, click here.