Qualifying: Larini storms through

The Italian carried Alfa Romeo's form over from this morning, when the factory team took the top three positions in two wet free practice sessions. In qualifying however, Larini was in a class of his own. His first attempt, timed at 2m08.338s early on in the session, was almost three seconds faster than anybody else. But although he didn't need to, as nobody could match his time, the Italian went out again late on and lowered the target by another six tenths of a second.

Factory BMW star Dirk Muller won a battle for second after trading times with Alfa's Roberto Colciago who damaged the front aerodynamics of his 156 by running through the gravel.

Briton Andy Priaulx continued to impress and outqualified the second works Team Deutschland BMW of Jörg Müller for fourth place. Gabriele Tarquini, who was fastest in this morning's free practice, ended the session sixth.

Reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi has struggled with set-up problems on his Team Italy/Spain BMW 320I all day and eventually qualified seventh, just ahead of Fabio Francia - the fastest Independent driver.