The expected Alfa vs BMW duel got underway in the first qualifying session of the year, with drivers from the two Manufacturers sharing the front thee rows of starting grid for tomorrow’s Race 1. But SEAT is not far behind, with Frank Diefenbacher clocking the eighth fastest time, only half a second behind pole position. Gabriele Tarquini, Roberto Colciago and Nicola Larini repeated their second free practice result, monopolizing the first three spots of the grid. Larini set a provisional pole position, nine minutes into the session, with a time of 1:53.689 and kept it until the final seconds, when Tarquini was clocked at 1:53.461 with only fifty seconds left. And as the chequered flag was waved, Roberto Colciago obtained the second fastest time of the session lapping in 1:53.689. 

Tarquini’s pole was the 30th claimed by the Alfa Romeo 156 since 1998. Four BMWs were classified behind the three Alfa, with Fabrizio Giovanardi fourth (0.339 from the pole), Antonio García fifth, Jörg Müller sixth and Andy Priaulx seventh. The session’s results confirmed that competition is very close and when the flag dropped twelve drivers were within 9 tenths of a second. Paolo Ruberti set the ninth fastest time in his Clever Cats R&M Alfa 156, and emerged as the best of the Independent drivers. 

A few drivers were disappointed by their qualifying results. After his promising third fastest time in the morning practice, Rickard Rydell was classified 13th due to a lack of power, whilst Dirk Müller set the 12th fastest time due to set-up problems. But the most upset of them all was André Couto, whose engine suffered again from unidentified bugs, preventing him from setting a qualifying time. In the picture: first pole went to Tarquini. 

Gabriele TARQUINI: “I’m very happy I managed to claim pole position. This is the best place to be, particularly for the first race of the season. Today we have achieved the best possible result for the team: three drivers in the first three positions. It was due to a great collective effort that might be very important for the races too, because we have seen that competition between us and BMW is quite close, and starting from the front positions is a great advantage. I also should say that I was very lucky, because my car did not suffer any important damages after I rolled it over on Thursday. It happened at a very low speed and I didn’t expect my car to go upside down. The mechanics repaired it very quickly my qualifying time proves that they did a very good job.” 

Roberto COLCIAGO: “It was a difficult session for me. My first attempt on a new set of tyres was spoiled when I found dust and gravel at the first chicane. Then I had again the same problem when I used my second set. But finally on my third set I managed to clock a good time; not enough to get pole, but enough for a front row starting position. I think that Gabriele’s performance was fantastic, he really deserved this pole.” 

Nicola LARINI: “I think that my strategy to aim for the pole early in the session was good. I managed to clock a very quick time and I hoped this was a good start to maintain the pole. Just to be sure I came out again to further improve my time, but I couldn’t because the racing lines were very dirty. I’m happy for the team, because we were able to place three cars at the top of the grid, although I’m a bit worried, because I will have a hoard of BMWs on my tail at the start of the first race.”