Some surprises, an old face on pole and some disappointing performances have been the story of the two qualifying sessions of the mid-way point of the 2013 Italian GT season at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari at Imola.
The MP1 Corse 458 was the fastest Ferrari overall, both on top speed and in one lap, as Cirò and Lancieri set the second fastest time in both sessions, proving they are the best balanced pair of the series; but Pole for Race 1 went to the Audi of Sonvico, some four tenths quicker than Cirò.
Has the bright light finally appeared at the end of the bad-luck tunnel that the Ingolstadt marque entered in the first part of the season? We’ll see, but for sure it is way better starting upfront rather than midway in the pack. Capello, Sonvico’s teammate, set the fifth-fastest time for Race 2.
The other top notch Ferrari of Black Bull set a fourth place grid spot for Race 1 for Maino, while Venturi demolished all his opposition clocking a six-tenths-quicker lap to take pole for Race 2, proving once again maybe this time a little revision of the BOP should have been done.
Third for Race 1 for BMW was the surprise of the weekend, as both the free practice session had shown barely any speed at all from the Z4s. Comandini set the third best time for the first race, only half a second slower than the Audi-Ferrari duo on the front row, while Colombo will be on P4 for Race 2; not bad for the slowest car on the top speed chart (about 10km slower than the other GT3 cars).
Porsche provided the disappointment having – on historically its best track – set only a fourth best time for Passuti and the Antonelli team in Race 1, and sixth best for Race 2 for Mapelli; but it was even worse for the points-leaders Postiglione and Lucchini and the EbiMotors team. Lucchini was the last GT3 car, tenth, overall for Race 1, two seconds slower than everyone else, while a better performance from Postiglione for Race two, (third overall) couldn’t cheer-up the Weissach contingent.
The Lamborghini was perhaps in even deeper trouble, as both Sanna and Barri struggled to find any speed at all, for a very disappointing ninth overall for both races.
The hot conditions, especially for Race 2 later on Sunday afternoon, could play a key part in the story of the race, while for Race 1 the battle should be way open. Can Porsche strike back? Can the Audis use the “rabbit foot” and finish strong? Or will the Ferraris once again dominate like at Mugello?
Q1 result – here
Q2 result – here
Gabriele Tosi (all images acisportitalia.it)
