Red Bull Junior Team Imola report

Successful start of the season for the Red Bull Juniors in Imola: Patrick Friesacher 2nd, Vitantonio Liuzzi 4th! Winner: Bjorn Wirdheim (SWE)!

It was a beaming Patrick Friesacher that stood on the podium in Imola today: The Red Bull Junior from Wolfsberg in Carinthia/Austria, finished second and thus gave an impressive proof of his strong performances in the various test sessions.

After Monaco 2002, it was Friesacher's second 2nd place in his Formula 3000 career. Although Friesacher was able to leave his team mate Vitantonio Liuzzi behind at the start, he had no chance at all against pole position holder Bjorn Wirdheim from Sweden.

Friesacher then continuously stayed behind Wirdheim - but never more than one second! Liuzzi, though, lost one position to Sperafico and had to fight his fellow citizen Toccacelo. Liuzzi finished 4th in the end and - in his very first Formula 3000 race - was best rookie!

Up front, nothing much changed: Wirdheim was able to keep Friesacher at distance when lapping and celebrated a clear start-finish victory - in front of a very satisfied 

Patrick F.: "Wirdheim won the start and it was therefore difficult for me. Although I tried to put him under pressure and force him to make a mistake. But after the very disappointing 2002 season, I am very satisfied with this 2nd place. This result makes me very confident!"

Liuzzi: "A very good start of the season - although there was more in it for me. My tires slacked towards the end, so the 4th place was the maximum - but I am confident for the next races!"