Estoril, day 2: Enge leads the way
Former Prost Grand Prix driver Tomas Enge showed why he is considered a favourite to win this year's Formula 3000 International Championship by topping the times during the first official test day of 2002
Following yesterday's unofficial sessions at Estoril in Portugal, the Arden driver set a time in the morning that was 0.3secs better than his nearest rival. The lap remained unbeaten all day.
Arden boss Christian Horner said: "Tomas just got on with the programme. He is getting comfortable and can see the potential. There is more to come."
Team Astromega's experienced new signing Mario Haberfeld was next up, as the teams begin to get a handle on Lola's new B2/50 chassis. His rookie team-mate Rob Nguyen takes over the car for tomorrow.
The biggest speculation in the F3000 paddock continues to surround Super Nova. The team has run three drivers over the two days - Tiago Monteiro and Giorgio Pantano yesterday, Sebastien Bourdais today. The trio are fighting for the two seats at the outfit, with Bourdais putting in a lot of effort to impress during his sessions. Which drivers will be signed still appears to be wide open.
Toyota Formula 1 test driver Ryan Briscoe had his maiden run in an F3000 with champion team Nordic Racing. He managed to go seventh fastest, only 0.1sec slower than highly-rated Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia.
The test concludes tomorrow (Thursday).
Tomas Enge Arden 1m28.82s
Mario Haberfeld Astromega 1m29.14s
Sebastien Bourdais Super Nova 1m29.19s
Alex Muller Durango 1m29.20s
Bjorn Wirdheim Arden 1m29.36s
Antonio Pizzonia Petrobras 1m29.42s
Ryan Briscoe Nordic 1m29.52s
Rodrigo Sperafico Durango 1m29.61s
Nicholas Kiesa PSM 1m29.83s
Ricardo Sperafico Petrobras 1m29.90s
Patrick Friesacher Red Bull 1m30.23s
Enrico Toccacelo Coloni 1m30.52s
Ricardo Mauricio Red Bull 1m30.67s
Tony Schmidt PSM 1m32.29s
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