Super Production: Morbidelli heads BMW ranks

The diminutive Italian, who was in contention for the Minardi F1 drive over the winter which went to Tarso Marques, lapped Monza in 2m07.744s, two-tenths faster than Ravaglia Motorsport team mates Peter Kox and Norman Simon. They were separated by just 0.03s.

"We did a good job today," said Morbidelli. "Our car is just at the beginning of its development, so I'm sure we can make it better. It's a good way to start the season."

Second placed Kox, who is driving for his former GT team mate Roberto Ravaglia, said: "I hoped we would do better. The Ravaglia team is a completely new team, not like CiBiEmme, so second is not too bad. I think we'll see a very tight race tomorrow."

Simon, who was the first of the under-25 class drivers, said: "It's only my second outing in a touring car so I'm very surprised to be so quick. I was expecting to be in the top five, but not third and so close to the guys in front."

BMW 320is took a clean sweep of the top four places, with Carly Motors driver Per-Gunnar Andersson taking fourth spot. The first non-Bimmer was Swedish Touring Car champion Tommy Rustad in a RJN Motorsport Nissan Primera. He was over a second off pole position, but two-tenths clear of Duncan Huisman, who was sixth quickest in a second Carly-run BMW.

Brits Tom Ferrier and James Hanson struggled with their Edenbridge-run machines due to an engine mapping problem which is costing them dear on the long straights of Monza. Ferrier will start 10th, with Hanson three places further back.


1 Gianni Morbidelli (BMW 320i) 2m07.744s
2 Peter Kox (BMW 320i) 2m07.971s
3 Norman Simon (BMW 320i) 2m08.001s
4 Per-Gunnar Andersson (BMW 320i) 2m08.963s
5 Tommy Rustad (Nissan Primera) 2m08.963s
6 Duncan Huisman (BMW 320i) 2m09.173s
7 Stefano Gabellini (BMW 320i) 2m09.180s
8 Paolo Ruberti (BMW 320i) 2m09.505s
9 Luis Villamil (Alfa Romeo 156) 2m10.132s
10 Tom Ferrier (BMW 320i) 2m10.222s