Good start to the new season for Minardi
Adria
RACE 2 Sunday April 9th 2006
Results Race 2
1 Giacomo
Ricci Lola B02-50 FMS 30 Laps 34'53"011 1
2 Paolo
Nocera Lola B02-50 FMS a 7"715
3 Stefano
Gattuso Lola B02-50 Auto Sport a 16"186
4 Juan
Caceres Lola B02-50 Minardi a 19"344
5 Marco
Bonanomi Lola B02-50 FMS a 19"467
6 Tuka Rocha
Lola B02-50 Minardi a 20"644
REPORT - ADRIA - Race 2: first win for Giacomo Ricci
Minardi's once again in the points!
First victory for Giacomo Ricci in race 2, on the Adria Speedway.
After a disappointing qualifying session, and a fifth place in Race one,
Ricci gained the lead on lap 1, passing Gattuso and Martini. The driver of
the number 2 FMS car posted several fastest laps at first, then controlled
the situation while Paolo Nocera scored his second podium in his F3000
debut. Stefano Gattuso was good third, trying to resist from the comebach of
a trio formed by Rocha, Bonanomi and Caceres. The battle took place mainly
on the final stages: on lap 24 Bonanomi passed Rocha, but they were suddenly
overtaken by Caceres, who profited from a moment of confusion. Bonanomi
succesfully made a desperate attack to Caceres in the final lap, but lost
the position for passing on a safety space. Matteo Cressoni was the only
driver to retire after spinning and hitting Oliver Martini in lap 2. The
Avelon driver was forced to make a pit-stop and lost one lap. The extreme
cleanlines from the racers paired with the excellent technical level: the
fastest laps of the first seven cars varied from 1'09"105 to 1'09"789.
Seventh position went to Ganin Cronje, who came back from the last place and
passed Petrov, Solieri, Dracone and Puglisi. Euronova's battling duo closed
in 8th and 9th place, in front of Solieri, Petrov and Martini. "I'm really
happy now. I want to thank all the crew at Fisichella Motorsports, and all
my sponsors.... it's my first victory and it's a very special emotion. The
reverse grid helps a lot when you have some problems. I think I was able to
profit frm the situation in the best way", said Ricci, visibly satisfied.
The new challenge is set to start in the first weekend of may, in Imola.
Bonanomi, the standings leader, whill have to whatch out not only from his
two team-mates, but also from the Minardi squad, looking for the first
victory of the new era.
_________________ _______________
RACE 1 Saturday April 8th 2006
Giancarlo Minardi
"It's always great to come back on track, especially if you made that
your life for
more than 25 years: it's like trying to get younger. This championship is
proving to be very interesting; there are a lot of cars within one second, it could become a
great challenge, we hope so"
Results Race 1
1 Marco
Bonanomi Lola B02-50 FMS 23 laps 26'51"537
2 Tuka Rocha
Lola B02-50 Minardi a 18"140
3 Paolo
Nocera Lola B02-50 FMS a 18"858
4 Juan
Caceres Lola B02-50 Minardi a 32"341
The first race for the new
Minardi team since the demise of Minardi F1 was highly successful. Both
Giancarlo and Giovanni must be extremely proud of the new beginning. 2nd and
4th place and the first time on the podium for Minardi since the late
1980's!!!!!!!!!!!
REPORT -ADRIA - Race 1: Bonanomi's domination
Minardi 2nd and 4th!!!
Fisichella Motorsport and Marco Bonanomi on top in the first heat on
the Adria Raceway. Bonanomi gained the first spot on lap 4. Paolo Nocera,
after a great start, made a mistake entering too fast at the "Cavanella"
turn, and gave way to his team-mate and Tuka Rocha. Bonanomi started a
progression of fast laps (1'08"193 the fastest lap of the race) , pulling
away early from the rest of the group . The brazilian Rocha gained the
second spot for the new Minardi team after a slow start, in front of Nocera
and Caceres. Matteo Cressoni, who fought hard the uruguayan in the first
laps, was too aggressive and spun, falling in ninth place. The top positions
got steady in the second half of the race, with Bonanomi increasing his
advantage up to nearly 20 seconds. Fifth place for Giacomo Ricci, who
started eight and attacked heavily, passing Petrov and Martini. Stefano
Gattuso was eight, in front of Cressoni, Puglisi and Solieri. In addition to
Bellarosa, who was not able to get on the grid due to an engine failure, two
drivers had to retire: Gavin Cronje, whose rear wing collapsed on lap 6, and
Francesco Dracone, who came back at Euronova's garage with technical issues.
"I tried to push hard, and improve from a not perfect start; I also wanted
to show my talent to Giancarlo and Enrico" said Bonanomi. Next challenge is
set to start tomorrow, with Race 2. Gattuso will start on pole position,
with Martini on his side, but an huge fight is expected again between the
two top teams, Minardi and Fisichella. Bonanomi should watch himself not only
from Rocha and Caceres, but also from his two, really fast, team-mates.
Information on Adria Raceway
Technical Characteristics
Length:2.715km
Average width of Track: 12m
Timetable
Friday April 7th:
9-12 Joint Test
14.10-16.10 Joint Test
15.00 -19.15 Administrative Checks
15.15 -19.30 Scrutineering
Saturday April 8th
9.30 Briefing
11.10 - 11.40 Qualifying
17.30 Race 1 (23 Laps, 62.146km)
Sunday April 9th
14.30 Race 2 (30 Laps, 81.060km)
