Catalunya: Friday practice summary

Ricardo Zonta, the fastest in Barcelona; the Brazilian starts de sixth round of the competition with the fastest lap in the Circuit de Catalunya.

Rafael Sarandeses comes back to the World Series with a new team

Barcelona, 27 September 2002 Ricardo Zonta (Gabord Competición) has been the fastest driver in the World Series category, which has commenced today celebrating its two first free practice sessions at the Catalunya circuit. Zonta has been the fastest ahead of de Justin Wilson (Racing Engineering) and Narain Karthikeyan (TT RC Motorsport). Bas Leinders (KTR) and Franck Montagny (Racing Engineering), who shared the second place in the standings, drove almost one second slower than the Brazilian did.

The Spanish Rafael Sarandeses has came back to the World Series a round after he finished his contract with the Italian team GD Racing. Sarandeses has joined Zele Motorsport team instead of Mathew Gilmore.

The Brazilian Rodrigo Sperafico, winner of the F3000 race in Interlagos, makes his debut in World Series in the Spanish Team Repsol Meycom. He has declared: "The Dallara car implies a different driving. You face the corners fastest than in the F3000, for instance. I am delighted with my new team". <pre> World Series Free Practice (scratch) 1. Ricardo Zonta BRA Gabord Competición 1:31.452 2. Justin Wilson GBR Racing Engineering 1:31.635, 0.183 3. Narain Karthikeyan IND TT RC Motorsport 1:32.151, 0.699 4. Ander Vilariño SPA Epsilon by Graff 1:32.171, 0.719 5. Bas Leinders BEL KTR 1:32.359, 0.907 6. Jonathan Cochet FRA GD Racing 1:32.399, 0.947 7. Franck Montagny FRA Racing Engineering 1:32.452, 1.000 8. Rodrigo Sperafico BRA Repsol Meycom 1:32.673, 1.221 9. Jean C. Ravier FRA Epsilon by Graff 1:32.680, 1.228 10. Antonio García SPA Adrián Campos Motorsport 1:32.713, 1.261

Championship standings (6th of 9)
1. R. Zonta, 163 points
2. B. Leinders, 137
3. F. Montagny, 137
4. J. Wilson, 64
5. J.C. Ravier, 41
6. A. Couto, 35
7. A. García, 35
8. N. Filiberti, 32
9. T. Rocha, 29
10. P. Sundberg, 27

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