Pizzonia takes pole in wash-out
The grid for the third round of Superleague Formula at Donington Park has been set by the results of the first two group sessions, rather than the knock-out phases, due to heavy and persistent rain that flooded the track
Antonio Pizzonia of Corinthians will start from pole position, ahead of Davide Rigon of Olympiakos.
Only one quarter final actually took place, when Pizzonia defeated Yelmer Buurman (Anderlecht) and was well up on the Dutchman before he spun at the Esses.
Buurman even spun on his in-lap, such were the horrendous track conditions due to incessant rain. Qualifying was suspended, and eventually cancelled as conditions failed to improve.
In the group stages of qualifying, Pizzonia topped the 'A' session from Max Wissel (Basel), John Martin (Rangers) and Roma's Jonathan Kennard (despite a big spin exiting the Esses) - the top four covered by just 0.067s.
The cars were released onto a dry track on slick tyres, but rain arrived halfway through, and practice pacesetter Esteban Guerrieri of Sevilla, who was first out of the pits, just missed the window to set a fast-enough time.
The Zolder winner will start ninth.
Another big scalp failed to make it into the top four in Group B, when series leader Adrian Valles of Liverpool failed to make the knock-out phase.
Last year's champion driver Rigon was quickest in a session that was wet throughout, ahead of Giorgio Pantano (AC Milan), Craig Dolby (Tottenham Hotspur) and Yelmer Buurman (Anderlecht). Valles will start 10th.
Pos Driver Team Time 1. Antonio Pizzonia Corinthians 1m22.868s 2. Davide Rigon Olympiacos 1m32.414s 3. Max Wissel FC Basel 1m22.907s 4. Giorgio Pantano AC Milan 1m33.110s 5. John Martin Rangers 1m22.948s 6. Craig Dolby Tottenham Hotspur 1m33.660s 7. Jonathan Kennard AS Roma 1m22.953s 8. Yelmer Buurman Anderlecht 1m33.923s 9. Esteban Guerrieri Sevilla FC 1m23.036s 10. Adrian Valles Liverpool 1m34.551s 11. Enrique Bernoldi Flamengo 1m23.067s 12. Tristan Gommendy FC Porto 1m34.687s 13. Ho-Pin Tung Atletico Madrid 1m25.141s 14. Nelson Panciatici Olympique Lyonnais 1m34.727s 15. Dominick Muermans PSV Eindhoven 1m26.199s 16. Kasper Andersen FC Midtylland 1m35.095s 17. Scott Mansell Galatasaray 1m26.623s 18. Pedro Petiz Sporting 1m36.933s
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments