Victory for Ciompi as Vilander is denied title dream despite betteringCressoni

Coloni Motorsport’s Toni Vilander had to endure the agony of finishing the2004 Italian Formula 3 Championship with the same number of points and morewins than rival Matteo Cressoni although he still missed out on the titleas a result of a bizarre ruling.

Because the talented Finnish driver had only competed in six of the ninemeetings, one short of the required minimum, he was not eligible for thechampionship title, despite recording six wins, six fastest laps and sevenpole positions. He had started the season competing in the Formula 3Euroseries before a mid-season switch to the Italian championship.

Despite the obvious frustration, there was reason for celebration in theColoni camp after Coloni’s Alessandro Ciompi won the second of two racesstaged at Misano today to secure second place in the title chase.

“Toni has done a mega job this season and it’s not fair for him that he hasnot been properly rewarded as the Italian champion,” said team principalPaolo Coloni. “He has proved he is the best driver with six wins and I amvery happy for Alessandro who becomes the vice champion.”

The final rounds of the Italian series proved fraught for Vilander as rivalcompetitors twice took him out of the action. He was eliminated in race oneand had to pit to change his tyres in the second race after being forcedoff the road. But his pace enabled him to rejoin the race and secure thepoints he needed to finish level with Cressoni and cement his position asthe championship’s most successful performer this year courtesy of hisgreater number of race wins.

“The team can celebrate despite the rules,” Coloni continued. “We have wonseven races this season which is a great achievement and we know we havedeveloped a competitive package. Our thanks go to all our partners fortheir support. My only frustration is that we can’t prove how good we couldbe in Macau because we have not been given an entry.”