Hughes wins Italian F3000 race

Hughes, driving for Arden team Russia beat the Italian Lancieri by a margin of ten seconds, with the Brazilian Rodrigo Sperafico hard on his heels. The Englishman had driven from pole and set 11 new fastest laps along the way.

"The car was truly perfect," said the Geordie. "It was a great satisfaction to win on a track which I didn't know," he added.

Second placed Lancieri encountered handling problems which allowed Hughes to stretch his lead to ten seconds by the flag.

He was forced to concentrate on fighting off Rodrigo Sperafico in the final laps, but held second over the Brazilian. This allowed him to hold the series lead over Hughes.

"I hope this win gives me some recognition back home in England," said the race winner.

Hughes is now challenging for the series lead once again after struggling at Mugello.

1 Hughes 35m43.155
2 Lancreri 35m53.588
3 Ro Sperafico 35m53.947
4 Ri Sperafico 36m02.518
5 Giao 36m20.841
6 Calcagni 36m26.564
7 Rossi 36m31.942
8 Hill 36m32.660
9 Nienkotter 36m37.022
10 Ruberti 36m38.247
11 Biagi 36m38.529
12 Battistuzzi 36m49.220
13 Brusatin 36m54.548
14 Bert 36m58.290
15 Stremmenos 36m58.695
16 Vacis 35m49.269
17 Pavicevic 27m56.074
18 Babalus 21m06.174