San Marino Benetton qualifying

The sun and a strong wind characterized this qualifying session, first European appointment for the International F.3000 Championship. After the excellent results obtained in the Brazilian race, where team Durango Benetton started from pole position and conquered the 2nd place, the Venetian team qualifies its drivers in 5th and 13th row. The first qualifying session was characterized by S. Bourdais (DAMS) 's crash with big consequences to his car. 10 minutes before the chequered flag Jaime Melo, 10th on that moment, spins at Piratella, goes on a kerb and crashes ruining the front wing and the steering arm. He keeps the 10th position in front on Ricardo Sperafico (Petrobras). The Italian Gabriele Lancieri at his second race in the International Series, will start from 25th position.

JAIME MELO - 10, 1:39.339: "We could qualify better and gain 0.5 seconds. The car is basically good. It's a real pity for my accident: I loss 10 precious minutes! Tomorrow I'll manage my race in order to gain positions and score some points, I know we can do this and I'll do my best since the green lights."

GABRIELE LANCIERI - 25, 1:41.123: "I didn't get the right feeling with my car. I think we could qualify in mid grid."

-Durango Benetton Junior Team