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FIA Formula 3000 Championship

Qualifying, April 12 2002
Weather: overcast, persistent drizzle

Mario Haberfeld: 13^th, 1m 56.418s
Rob Nguyen: 18^th, 1m 59.090s 

After a fantastic start to the FIA F3000 Championship in Brazil, where Mario Haberfeld finished second, Team Astromega came back to earth with a bump at Imola. Changeable weather conditions made it hard for drivers Mario Haberfeld and Rob Nguyen to know which tyres to use. In addition, a handling problem meant neither was able to get the most from their cars when track conditions were at their fastest. 

Mario Haberfeld

“We were OK when the track was at its wettest – in fact I think I was the quickest guy out there at the end. Unfortunately, it was raining quite heavily by then and we weren’t able to profit because the circuit had become extremely slippery. We have a good set-up for the wet, so it would suit me if things stay like that tomorrow. Besides, this isn’t the easiest circuit at which to pass in the dry. If it rains tomorrow, I believe we have a very strong chance of finishing in the points again.” 

Rob Nguyen

“This has been a hard day. When the track began to dry we had quite a lot of oversteer. That was killing our rear tyres and we were only able to manage about two laps before our performance dropped off. The circuit was looking drier in the middle of the first session and I gambled on using slicks, but then it started raining again and by the time I went out the track was becoming slower. Right at the end of the session I had to stop because of a gearbox oil leak. The guys did a great job to get it fixed, but I missed the first part of the second session and by the time my car was fixed it was raining yet again so I had no chance to improve. One good thing is that my back feels much better. I jarred it quite badly in the last race but so far it has given me no trouble this weekend.” 

Sam Boyle, team manager

“This has been a disappointment after our great start in Brazil, but conditions were variable and we didn’t get things quite right when the track was at its fastest. We were by no means the only team to get caught out like that, however, and I expect us to do much better in tomorrow’s race.”