JULY 28, 2002

Pantano wins again

Giorgio Pantano won his second Formula 3000 victory of the year and pulled himself back into the Formula 3000 title race at Hockenheim. Championship leader Sebastien Bourdais and Tomas Enge both failed to score and so Pantano is now within 12 points of Bourdais with three races to go. Pantano was unbeatable in qualifying and in the race, and Enge was overshadowed somewhat by his young Arden team mate Bjorn Wirdheim, who took second at the start and never really looked threatened. Enge was later punted off by Ricardo Sperafico (Petrobras Junior Team), a move which resulted in the Brazilian being given a 10-second stop-go penalty. Antonio Pizzonia ran a strong third until the last few laps when the car slowed with a mechanical problem and third place thus went to Rodrigo Sperafico in his Durango entry. Mario Haberfeld was fourth with Tiago Monteiro surviving to finish fifth in his Super Nova Racing car. Ricardo Sperafico was sixth. American Derek Hill finished ninth.

Battle will recommence in Hungary in three weeks time.