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Asmer On Pole In Bucharest |
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Saturday, 19 May 2007 |
Grubmüller forced to sit it out
Championship leaders Hitech Racing will start tomorrow’s first Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series race from its third successive pole position. Estonian Marko Asmer topped the time sheets in both free practice sessions this morning and repeated the performance in qualifying around the 1.9 mile Romanian street circuit this afternoon, posting a time .160secs ahead of the opposition.
Hitech’s second driver F3 rookie Walter Grubmüller was fortunate to escape injury after crashing heavily into the wall on the first lap of the session, the young Austrian being transferred to hospital for routine examination but later released without serious injury. The 18 year-old though will take no further part in the proceedings.
The Silverstone-based team is chasing a fourth consecutive victory this
weekend, following wins in three of the last four races, but the event,
the first time at this track, will pose a challenge although 22
year-old Asmer feels there’s more to come for tomorrow’s qualifying for
Round 2.
Marko Asmer: “It’s a good start to be quickest in every session, and
it’s particularly good as it’s a new circuit for us all and no-one can
say I have the advantage. My quickest lap was good, but not
outstanding, nothing special. I think we can go quicker tomorrow as I
hit some traffic in the penultimate corner on what would have been an
even quicker lap, so we’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”
David Hayle: “We have had a reasonable day with the exception of
Walter’s accident. He took a bump on the head and we have decided to
play safe with him, thankfully he is ok and he will be out again next
week.
“Marko was pleased to be on pole but at the same time disappointed, he
wasn’t happy with his lap because he thinks he could be in the high
1.10's or low 1.11's but what’s really good is that despite that and
being on pole he is hungry to be faster, he is confident and he is
working very hard, but we have a lot of work to do yet.”
Tomorrow’s second qualifying kicks off proceedings at 8.15 which will
determine the grid for Sunday morning’s race two, with the race one
taking place at 11.55 tomorrow.
Qualifying for Race 1
1. Marko Asmer 1:11.681s
2. Alberto Valerio 1:11.841s
3. Sebastian Hohenthal 1:12.358s
4. Sam Bird 1:12.373s
5. Niall Breen 1:12.501s
6. Maro Engel 1:12.771s
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