EU3000: Spa race one notes, results

Marco Bonanomi wins. First podium for Rodriguez

Marco Bonanomi back to the victory, in the first Euroseries 3000 race in Spa. The driver from Lecco paired the opening victory earned in Adria. He also jumps at the top of the standings with 40 points. Bonanomi was followed on the line by Ricci (team-mate in the Fisichella Motor Sport team), now second at 37. For the first time on the podium in F3000, the Spanish Roldan Rodriguez brought his Minardi Lola to third.

Bonanomi led all the 10 laps, slowed by a safety car period between laps 4 and 8, due to the exit of Vitaly Petrov. The Russian lost the rear wing on the straight, maybe for a contact with Cressoni, and went off at the Eau Rouge. Bonanomi was followed in the beginning by Rodriguez, Ricci (slow start), Petrov, Cressoni, Caceres, Cronje, Gattuso, Nocera and Tahinci. Puglisi was immediately out due to a spin, while Rocha made contact with Bellarosa. Problems for Martini too, who came in pits without the front wing.

During the second lap Ricci firmly overtook Rodriguez, getting scared by a two-wheel exit on the grass. When the full course yellow came to an end, Bonanomi continued to control Ricci on cold tires, as Rodriguez went long with no consequences. A multiple contact primed by Nocera took off him, Cressoni and Caceres, letting Gattuso fly to the fourth place. On last lap Martini made contact with Cronje, taking advantage on him. Stewards later decided to disqualify both Martini and Nocera: the two will start from last row. In tomorrow's race, thanks to the inversion of the top 8, Caceres and Cressoni will start from first row; in the second row, Cronje and Tahinci; in third, Gattuso and Rodriguez. Ricci and Bonanomi will close the fourth row.

<pre> RACE 1 ROUND 3 Spa Francorchamps

Pos Driver              Car              Team   Distance/Time           Gap
1.  Marco Bonanomi      Lola B02/50      FMS    10 laps / 25'06"229
2.  Giacomo Ricci       Lola B02/50      FMS                            0"562
3.  Roldan Rodriguez    Lola B02/50      Minardi                        6"247
4.  Stefano Gattuso     Lola B02/50      Autosport                      8"754
5.  Jason Tahinci       Lola B02/50      Astromega                      16"191
6.  Gavin Cronje        Lola B02/50      Autosport                      29"575
7.  Matteo Cressoni     Lola B02/50      Vanni/Traini                   2 laps
8.  Juan Caceres        Lola B02/50      Minardi                        2 laps
9.  Vitaly Petrov       Lola B02/50      Euronova                       6 laps
10. Tuka Rocha          Lola B02/50      Astromega                      8 laps
11. Ivan Bellarosa      Lola B02/50      Avelon                         10 laps
12. Marcello Puglisi    Lola B02/50      Euronova                       10 laps

Sanctioned: Oliver Martini Lola B02/50 Avelon Paolo Nocera Lola B02/50 FMS

Best lap: Marco Bonanomi Lola B02/50 FMS 2:08.457

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