Qualifying: Webber on provisional pole
The incredibly tight battle for supremacy in the FIA Formula 3000 Championship continued in qualifying at Hockenheim as Mark Webber headed series leader Justin Wilson and fellow title rival Tomas Enge
Webber lapped his Super Nova car in 2m00.033s, 0.137secs ahead of Wilson with Enge a further 0.370secs in arrears. After setting his time, Webber straightlined all of the circuit's chicanes, knocking his nose cone askew at the third attempt, but he had done enough.
Antonio Pizzonia (Petrobras) is currently fourth quickest, ahead of Andrea Piccini (European Minardi), Ricardo Sperafico (Petrobras) and Bas Leinders (KTR). Category returnee Tomas Scheckter is eighth fastest in the European Minardi entry usually driven by David Saelens, the Belgian driver who was injured in qualifying at Silverstone.
In trouble were Giorgio Pantano (Astromega), who went off on the entry to the Stadium on his out lap, and Darren Manning (Arden) who pulled off on the exit of the first corner. The British driver slumped from fifth to 16th as a result.
This afternoon's second session is expected to be held in cooler conditions, but without the benefit of the Formula 1 rubber which has made some F3000 qualifying sessions remain rather static this year.
Mark Webber, Super Nova, 2m00.033s
Justin Wilson, Nordic, 2m00.137s
Tomas Enge, Nordic, 2m00.370s
Antonio Pizzonia, Petrobras, 2m00.435s
Andrea Piccini, European Minardi, 2m00.462s
Ricardo Sperafico, Petrobras, 2m00.708s
Bas Leinders, KTR, 2m00.748s
Tomas Scheckter, European Minardi, 2m00.899s
Mario Haberfeld, Super Nova, 2m01.043s
Patrick Friesacher, Red Bull, 2m01.174s
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