14.06.2003 (lil)

Third row for Coloni Motorsport and Christian Montanari in the fifth race of the Italian F.3 Championship in Pergusa

Christian Montanari (RSM), the young driver of Coloni Motorsport, earned today in Pergusa the third row after the qualifying of the fifth race of the Italian F.3 Championship.
In the first session (morning), Christian was immediately one of the fastest drivers, having scored the sixth time, 1.39,2. In the afternoon session Montanari went back on track using an old set of tyres and one more time he was in the leaders group, thanks to the second best time of the session: unfortunately the track was slower than morning and so Christian couldn’t improve his position.

An unlucky day for Imola’s winner instead, Marco Bonanomi: he went straight in “Proserpina” chicane and the accident seriously damaged his F106, preventing him from scoring a time. Coloni’s crew are working hard in order to grant him the possibility to start in tomorrow’s race.

Green light for the 5th race of the Italian F.3 on Sunday at h. 15.

Paolo Coloni, Team Principal: “Today Christian did an excellent work, in the second session was the fastest driver with old tyres and he also worked in sight of the race. Unfortunately, for Marco this was quite an unlucky day, compromised by the clash during the first qualifying session. The whole team is now working real hard for having tomorrow Marco regularly on the starting grid and I’m sure our drivers will give us a great race”.

Christian Montanari, Driver: “I’m satisfied, this morning during the first session I achieved the 6th time and in the afternoon I was constantly one of the fastest drivers, I scored the second time using an old tyres set, but the track got worse and so I couldn’t earn more positions. I’m sure we will obtain a good result, also because of the continuous improvements of the F106”.

Marco Bonanomi, Driver: “In the first session, while I was running my first lap, I went out - maybe because of the cold tyres – on the Proserpina chicane, a very fast chicane, and unfortunately the car got badly damaged. However I hope to be on the grid tomorrow for the start”.