F3000 CHAMPIONSHIP 2001. ROUND 5, MONACO – 26.5.2001

DISAPPOINTING RACE FOR PATRICK FRIESACHER (RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM F3000). COLLISION WITH HABERFELD IN LAP 41. 
TEAMMATE MAURICIO WITH A FINE COMEBACK AND ONE POINT – POSITION 6. 
WINNER: MARK WEBBER (AUS).

Patrick Friesacher (Red Bull Junior Team F3000) did not finish his first race at the streets of Monte Carlo. One reason therefore was the start, where Patrick lost two positions after Manning and Wilson crashed at Ste. Devote. Friesacher was on position seven, just behind his new team-mate Ricardo Mauricio of Brazil.

Friesacher pusher very hard for the next ten laps, but there was no opportunity to get Ricardo without any risks. But Ricardo saw, that he blocked Friesacher and let him pass at lap 10.
Than Patrick was pushing very hard to get closer to Bourdais and Sperafico. And maybe he was pushing to hard at Ste. Devote at lap 15 – Friesacher went off and lost a couple of positions.
Starting his new race from 15th position, Friesacher went through the midfield with some spectacular manoeuvres. Still 4 laps to go – Friesacher and Haberfeld crashed at the famous corner of Loews – there was just space for one. Just a normal Racing accident. But disappointing for Patrick after a very active, but unlucky race.

“Sure I am totally disappointed – especially by my mistake at Ste.Devote. Than the race was over for me – I just tried to come closer to the top ten positions – you will never know at Monte Carlo. Everything could happen. And than Mario Haberfeld at Loews – I think, it was already my corner – but it is ok.! A bad finish of a very disappointing Saturday!

Friesachers new team-mate Ricardo Mauricio (BRA) did a tough job keeping away Friesacher for the first 10 laps and than Enge for the rest of his race. The sixth place is a very fine result for the man of Brazil – even for his comeback to F3000-championship.

Dr. Helmut Marko: “I am very proud and satisfied by Ricardo´s performance. What a fight for just one point. Compliments to Mauricio. Also I am very sad about Patrick’s race, starting with a bad start. Here all the troubles began. Friesacher has to make a race without any mistakes. We know about his talents and his speed. He will need just more experience – and some good results!”

Results – Monaco:

1. Mark WEBBER AUS Super Nova Racing 1:31.21,073
2. Justin WILSON GB Coca Cola Nordic Racing 
3. Stephane SARRAZIN FRA F3000 Prost Junior Team 
4. Sebastian BOURDAIS F DAMS 
5. Ricardo SPERAFICO BRA Petrobras Junior Team 
6. Ricardo MAURICIO BRA Red Bull Junior Team F3000 

Standings:

1. Justin WILSON GB Coca Cola Nordic Racing 31
2. Mark WEBBER AUS Super Nova Racing 20
3. Tomas ENGE CZE Coca Cola Nordic Racing 18

12. Patrick FRIESACHER AUT Red Bull Junior Team F3000 2

More: www.redbull-juniorteam.com, www.redbull-f3000.com

Red Bull Junior Team F3000 –  Media, Thomas Blazek, beta Communications,
Steinfeldstraße 17/2/11, A-2351  Wr.Neudorf,
Tel.: +43 2236 24744, +43 664 300 50 40,  Fax: +43 2236 252 68, E-Mail: blazek@betacom.at