Super Nova's Alan van der Merwe did a good job in practice and qualifying sessions in Barcelona for round two of the championship. Alan finished the thirty-minute practice session quickest while teammate Patrick Friesacher decided not to run in this session in order to keep three sets of tyres for the forty minute qualifying session. The sky was overcast for the start of qualifying so everyone tried to get in their quick times before the rain came. Alan returned to the pits in fifth position with just over twenty minutes of the session remaining having used both his new sets of tyres. Patrick was lying in eighth position but still had one set of new tyres to use when the rain started to come. He did go out again for a couple of laps but failed to improve on his time and finished in ninth position.
Enrico Toccacelo claimed pole ahead of Imola race winner Liuzzi and Schroeder.
Patrick Friesacher 1:33.082 (P9)
"On the first set of tyres the car was alright but we had a bit of understeer. With the second set it was a bit better but on my quickest lap I had to overtake Lauda and it was a little bit windier and then it started to rain so I didn't improve my time and we still had one set of tyres to go."
Alan van der Merwe 1:32.794 (P5)
"I am really happy with the progress that we made last week. I am a little bit disappointed with qualifying as I made a bit of a mess of it but I am really confident for tomorrow as I know we have a good car for the race."
Team Manager - David Sears
"After a very successful test in England last Friday, the whole team and drivers had great expectations for Barcelona this weekend. In the free practice session Alan van der Merwe was fastest consistently while Patrick Friesacher together with Liuzzi and Van Hooydonk elected to sit it out and save three sets of new tyres for the official qualifying session.
Alan van der Merwe ended up fifth fastest, only four tenths from pole position which everyone considered was a supreme effort considering his lack of experience. Patrick Friesacher only ended up ninth fastest, having had a few moments with strong winds out on track and then encountering a rain shower as he put on his last set of new tyres.
Both drivers feel that their cars will be excellent in the race so we are looking forward to some good results tomorrow."
