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FIA Formula 3000 Championship
Round 9/12, Hockenheim
Qualifying, July 26 2002
REMUS-Pilot Rob Nguyen: 12th, 1m 28.988s
"It has been a bit frustrating today because I am only a couple of tenths away from a place in the top six. It was a very tight session but unfortunately I was at the wrong end of a closely-matched group."
"Unlike most of the other drivers I can’t make comparisons with the old track because I never raced there. I was surprised how much grip the new one had – but you had to be careful not to stray from the racing line because if you did you slid straight off the road. That happened to me once or twice, but I’m not too downbeat because I think there are definitely chances to make up places and I’ll give it my best shot tomorrow."
Race, July 27 2002
REMUS-Pilot Rob Nguyen: 11th, 3rd best Lap 1:30.325
"I made a pretty bad start and lost a couple of places – then when I arrived at the hairpin there were cars all over the place and I had to run very wide to miss them, which cost me even more ground. After that I was always fighting to make up lost time."
"I tagged onto Ricardo Mauricio and knew I was potentially quicker. When I passed him I was really happy with my move. We touched slightly and he went off the track, but stewards seemed to think it was my fault – even though his front wing touched my left rear tyre. The incident gave me a bit of a vibration, so I pitted for the crew to check the car. Everything seemed all right, so they put on a fresh set of tyres and I went out again… only to receive notice that I had been penalised. That came as quite a surprise. I was down in 11th – and last – by the time I rejoined, then on the final lap I let the clutch out too soon while challenging another car at the hairpin and my can spun round and stalled, so I was unable to take the chequered flag."
Pictures for free by poleposition / Dieter Mathis
Rob Nguyen with Talent Scout and Manager Walter Penker