The Heat Is On - Second Official Practice
Track temp: 52 degrees Ambient Tem: 33 degrees
A souring track temperature of 52 degrees greeted the drivers yesterday afternoon as the debut 2006 Qtel Masters of Qatar got underway for the second of today’s free practice sessions.
The layout of the technically challenging Losail International Raceway circuit has since yesterday become more familiar to the drivers and combined with improved grip, it was Pierluigi Martini (Italy) who set the quickest time of the day at 1.47.549s thereby eclipsing this year’s Moto GP pole position time by almost 8 seconds!
In second place was Nigel Mansell (Britain), followed by Eric Van de Poele (Belgium), Christian Danner (Germany), Stefan Johansson (Sweden) and Eddie Cheever (USA).
Scott Poulter (CEO, Grand Prix Masters): “We have enjoyed two days of successful and trouble free mileage and one thing is for sure – this Losail International Raceway Circuit is more than prepared for top-level four-wheeled motor racing. On behalf of GP Masters, I just want to say that we are extremely proud to be contesting the first ever racing car event in Qatar and all thanks must go to QMMF President, Mr Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah, for having the vision of starting such a phenomenal facility that suits both bikes and racing cars alike. Our drivers have been waxing lyrical about this circuit and it’s testament to the ingenuity and commitment of everyone at QMMF.
"We look forward to what promises to be an awesome debut event in Qatar for both GP Masters and QMMF.”
1st Pierluigi Martini (Italy): “I am extremely pleased to have set the best time today but let’s see what the rest of the weekend brings. These are extremely quick drivers and it will be far from easy to be in P1 after tomorrow’s all important qualifying session.
"My last race was in Sebring in 2000 and like so many of the Masters, I never expected to see a day when I would be sitting alongside such great friends from the past. It really is a pleasure to share the race track again with such great names and especially in these magnificent racing cars. These GP Masters cars are much better to drive than the last F1 car I drove and quicker too! I used a new set of tyres today for my quick lap and after 15 laps set the fastest time. Tomorrow will be a lot harder for sure and I cannot wait to get back out there.”
2nd Nigel Mansell (Britain): “A very testing circuit indeed and one which really pushes both car and driver. I have saved a set of new tyres for tomorrow. Qualifying at the top end will be the key to winning here on Saturday. The extremely long straight here reminds me very much of the Indianapolis straight and if you are behind 4 or 5 cars, you’ll benefit from a big tow. The 2 circuit here changes from lap to lap and we still have a fair bit of set-up work to complete in an effort to improve the lap times. Some other drivers have a better set-up and I’ll be studying their data this evening to better understand this. There is still more lap time to extract from the car and tomorrow’s free practice session will hopefully allow us to find this ahead of qualifying. The circuit here really is something very special. It really has pioneered something new for motor racing in Qatar and I want to congratulate everyone involved in designing, building and hosting this world-class facility.”
3rd Eric Van de Poele (Belgium): “I feel really fantastic about finishing in 3rd place today and I have to thank Scott Poulter (CEO, Grand Prix Masters) and Bob Berridge (Head of Race Operations) for letting me race amongst this field of great names. The experience really is second to none. My first Grand Prix was exactly 15 years ago and while I did four races last year, I certainly never expected to be sitting in a 600 horse power grand prix car alongside names like Mansell, Fittipaldi and so many others. The feeling just gets better after each lap at what is a superb track. The fast corners are very fast indeed and having now learned exactly the lines into each corner, the unfamiliarity of yesterday is behind us. The circuit doesn’t benefit from any real reference points and this is what makes it that much harder and challenging in places. Getting 16 race cars prepared to the high standard achieved also deserves credit and I want to thank the technical and engineering team for producing a stunning line-up of perfectly prepared race cars. My only other ambition now is to take this series to Spa in my homeland of Belgium! It is a perfect place for GP Masters to be and I am sure the crowds would be mega. It is a logical progression and I will do whatever I can to help make that dream come true.”
4th Christian Danner (Germany): “A pleasing day and a lot of fun too. Everything from the cars, the series and the team spirit amongst us is about enjoying competitive fun. The circuit was really tricky in the beginning but it is now getting faster and faster for us all. The grip was very low to start with but the track isn’t so ‘green’ anymore. The speeds through some of the faster corners are quite astonishing and I am now using higher gears to cope with this. A track temperature of 52 degrees is very high yes, but I don’t really find it that much of an issue. Unlike Malaysia where the humidity is extremely unforgiving, this place enjoys baking heat but very dry. In many ways, it’s quite pleasant actually! A great deal of credit must go to QMMF for having the vision to host us. A really great idea and one which clearly works as we have all discovered to our joy.”
5th Stefan Johansson (Sweden): “The track has certainly changed for the better since yesterday and I am pleased with the set-up gains we have made. In fact, we got a little lost yesterday and we have today returned the car back to its original set-up. These GP Masters cars are very sensitive and the track too changes from lap to lap. Quite a challenge but one we are all taking full advantage of in terms of preparing for tomorrow and ultimately Saturday. In fact, the whole series has got a lot more competitive since South Africa. I was gutted after my retirement at the first race and I guess it’s no wonder. We all come from top level motorsport and it just never leaves your system. The desire to keep winning stays with you and I’m not surprised to see the competitive bar raised for this weekend’s race.”
6th Eddie Cheever (USA): “It’s great to be back with these cars racing alongside these guys. I’m doing the Indy 500 later this year and have already done a couple of IRL races to prepare for this. In fact, it all began at the GP Masters South Africa race where I was so embarrassed by my performance! It made me really think about getting back on the pace and after thousands 3 of miles on the bike and in the swimming pool, I’m still only 6th fastest today! Jokes aside, the level has really gone up amongst the Masters and everyone is fast. The circuit too is extremely demanding both physically and technically. You go through some of the faster corners so quick that it feels at times like a video game! The design has been very thoroughly thought out and the built-in safety margin is high! A great race beckons for Saturday!”
