For immediate release                                                                                                     May 6, 2000

Mark Webber's hopes of maintaining his championship lead in round three of the FIA International Formula 3000 Championship at Barcelona were dashed today (May 6) when he suffered a puncture on the first lap of the race after being hit from behind. Although Webber pitted for a replacement tyre, the pit stop cost him almost a lap and he ultimately retired from the race five laps from the finish with a fuel pressure problem.

"It's a weekend to forget although in hindsight perhaps it was better I wasn't in a points-scoring position when I retired because I would have been gutted had I had to throw championship points away," said the 23-year old Australian, who endured a frustrating time in qualifying and started the race in a disappointing 17th position. "We should have done better in qualifying but we couldn't get any grip into the front of the car. We were able to improve the car a bit overnight for the race and I thought if I could get a good start, I was still in with a chance of scoring points." 

Indeed, Webber made a flying start and gained six places. "I don't know how many cars I passed under braking at the first corner but I was behind Franck Montagny by Repsol (fourth corner)."  However, disaster struck shortly afterwards after Mark drove round the outside of Ulsterman Kevin McGarrity to take ninth position. "I think he either understeered into me or he simply wasn't happy with me overtaking him like that! It was a real shame because I had done all the hard work at the start and could see David Saelens (then in second position) going into the first corner." Webber's right rear tyre suffered a small slash from contact with McGarrity's wing and the Yellow Pages/Foster's driver limped back to the pits. 

Almost a lap down on the leaders when he rejoined, Webber drove a lonely race but was destined not to finish when his car developed a fuel pressure problem five laps from the finish and he retired.  

The incident-packed race was ultimately won by Bruno Junqueira after long-time race leader, Enrique Bernoldi, retired after picking up a slow puncture and then clashed with his team-mate, Ricardo Mauricio. By virtue of his win, Junqueira has now moved into the lead of the championship with 18 points, two points ahead of Nicolas Minassian who finished second at Barcelona while Webber is third on 14 points. 

Round four of the championship takes place at the Nurburgring, Germany on May 20. 

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