FIA F3000 International Championship
Round 7 (of 12). Magny Cours, France.
QUALIFYING. 29^th June.

GROUNDHOG DAY. 

Coca-Cola Nordic Racing driver Tomas Enge must be thinking that it is Groundhog day as for the second time in seven days he lines up on pole position, with rival driver Mark Webber second.

Just one week ago at the Nurburgring in Germany, Czech driver Enge took the pole position, going on to win the race with ease. Now, for round seven of the FIA F3000 International Championship, held at Magny Cours in France, Enge is back on pole, confident that he can repeat his race win in Germany. 

“I am in the most important position,” said Enge, whose fastest lap time had been set on his third lap of the opening session. Once in pole he was never challenged, going on to finish six tenths faster than second placed Webber. “I put everything I had into my opening laps and it worked. This is a circuit that suits my driving and given another fast start, similar to the one I had at the Nurburgring, then I am sure of the race win tomorrow.”

Team mate Justin Wilson qualified in fourth position for Saturdays race and like Tomas, he is confident of doing well in the race. “I am starting in the points so it is all down to how many places I can make up at the start. In qualifying I did not catch the track at the best time, so now I have it all to do in the race.” 

Team Principal Derek Mower said: “ I am so pleased for Tomas. He drove as close to a perfect lap as you can get today and this gave him the pole position. The fact that he was able to do this as early as his third lap in the first qualifying session makes it even more remarkable. Justin, too, drove well and it was just a shame that he missed his performance lap window by one lap. He was the quickest driver in the second session, but unfortunately for him this was the slower of the two. However, he stands every chance of getting a podium finish in the race tomorrow, as long as he can make a good start.” 

Team Manager Chris Mower agreed, saying: “Tomas did an excellent job again and this shows his level of commitment when he set his pole position so early into the opening session. Fourth place for Justin is a massive improvement on where he qualified here last year (13^th place) and his being quickest in the second session makes us confident of a good points finish for both of them.” 

For the latest times from qualifying and the race please check out our website at www.nordicracing.com