EU: Series Monza qualifying report

Harvey takes the poles and the title advantage.

Monza, 10 September 2010. The fight for the Formula BMW Europe title has started in earnest today with qualifying for rounds 15 and 16, and the winner of that first battle was Jack Harvey (GB/Fortec Motorsports) as he will start both races on pole. Meanwhile his team-mate, George Katsinis (GR), will start alongside him on the front row of the grid for race one. Third on the grid for race one and second for race two will be Formula BMW Junior driver and newly crowned Rookie Cup winner, Carlos Sainz (ES/Eurointernational). However, it is not one of the regulars or Robin Frijns (NL/Josef Kaufmann Racing), who is the only other driver apart from Harvey who can win the title, third in race two, but guest driver Luciano Bacheta (GB/DAMS).

Slip streaming plays a vital part in qualifying in Monza, as this is what usually assures a good lap time. With this in mind the drivers kept in close formation and the action on the track often resembled rush hour traffic on the Tangenziale that runs close to the Monza circuit. Unfortunately Frijns did not manage to get an important tow, so will start the two races in eighth and sixth, which is not what he wants with Harvey nine points ahead of him.

Harvey put his marker down at the start of the session and was quickest on the first two flying laps. Then it was Daniil Kvyat (RU/Eurointernational) who took over at the top of the time sheets as the leading drivers headed into the pits for new tyres after four flying laps. It was on his penultimate lap that Harvey clinched pole for race one and on his final one pole for race two. While he admitted it was the tows that gave him the times, the surprise was that Sainz managed his quickest lap on his final lap while out on the track with no other cars around.

Pole Round 15 and 16: Jack Harvey (GB/Fortec Motorsports): " It is great being on pole and especially this weekend when I am fighting for the championship Anyone here would have seen a lot of cars bunched in one group. I knew what I needed to do to get pole was to try for a good tow, but when it is busy like that it is very difficult. I had a couple of laps battling with Facu, so I was anxious to see how that was going to work out.. I had spoken with George beforehand and we had a plan, but honestly that plan just got torn up and thrown away after the first lap because at no point had I planned to be in a massive group of about seven cars. The team did a fantastic job and have obviously worked very hard since Spa and I am very grateful to them."

Second Round 15 Ninth Round 16: George Katsinis (GR/Fortec Motorsports): "It was busy and it was hard. I was hoping to have a group for tows on the second set of tyres which was the best time to get a good lap time. I tried to stay behind the group so I could follow them and I did just that. I managed to get a perfectly clean lap with a tow to put me into second. I don't know what Carlos did as if it was without a tow congratulations. I couldn't do a second lap time, as it was quite messy. But I am happy and satisfied and congratulations to the team as we are both starting on the front row."

Third Round 15 Second Round 16 Top Rookie: Carlos Sainz (ES/Eurointernational): "I was concentrating as I had to do one lap alone. It was a bit risky to try it, but you know when you are alone you have to push. I am quite surprised about my time being alone as here the tow gives you a lot of time. I was really concentrating and focused on doing it and finally I managed it. I have never done such a qualifying, as you had to be looking to your right, to your left, in front and backwards. I am quite happy with myself and especially the team who gave me a good car. Let's see what will happen tomorrow."

The grid positions for race one are determined by each driver's quickest time in qualifying, while each driver's second quickest time is taken to set the grid for race two. The first of the 12 lap races round the 5.793 kilometre Monza circuit will be on Saturday at 09.45 and the second on Sunday at 08.30. All times are local CET.

-source: fbmw eu