26.06.2004 "I’m absolutely over the moon! After I was quickest in both practice sessions I would have been disappointed not to be on pole position": post ETCC qualifying reaction from Donington Park

James THOMPSON – Autodelta Squadra Corse, pole position

"I’m absolutely over the moon! After I was quickest in both practice sessions I would have been disappointed not to be on pole position. But luckily I managed to carry on leading the pack.

"I think tomorrow we will have a very good chance to place Alfa Romeo cars at the top, no matter if it’s wet or dry. But here you never know, because this track is so hard on brakes and tyres. Qualifying is one thing, and the races are a different story.”

Fabrizio GIOVANARDI – Autodelta Squadra Corse, 2nd 

"We are happy, because our car is back on top. However, I’m a bit upset for not being on pole. I’m really missing a pole this season, and I tried hard to claim it today.

"I must say I was really disappointed when I crossed the line under the chequered flag and I saw that my board on the wall had changed from P1 to P2… Anyway, I think I’m in a good position to go for good results tomorrow.”

Gabriele TARQUINI – Autodelta Squadra Corse, 3rd

"Four Alfas in the first fourth places. It couldn’t be better. We proved we are competitive in all the track conditions, which is a very good omen for the races. The only problem I had today was with Jörg Müller.

"I was on new tyres and lights on, he was driving slowly and misjudged my speed. We had a contact out of the chicane, and this spoiled my lap. However, it was clearly a misunderstanding, and it did not even cost me the pole, because I was not enough fast to beat James and Fabrizio.”

Salvatore TAVANO – Oregon Team, 9th

“The team worked very well today. We were always fast, in the dry and the wet, always within the top-ten. Let’s say it was predictable, because this is a good track for Alfa, and the weather conditions also helped us. I’m a bit worried for tomorrow, because at the start of the first race I will have a lot of good BMWs behind me.“