Forceful fourth for Thomas Biagi in Monza qualifying 09.04.2011: The International Superstars Series 2011 started with a strong performance for the reigning champion Thomas Biagi in the season opener in Monza. In qualifying held today on a circuit that, as expected, does

The International Superstars Series 2011 started with a strong performance for the reigning champion Thomas Biagi in the season opener in Monza.


In qualifying held today on a circuit that, as expected, does not suit much of the characteristics of M3 BMWs, the Italian driver of BMW Team Italy produced a performance on the limit and managed to achieve the second row with the fourth fastest time in 1'57.011.



Thomas Biagi:


"I believe it was not possible to do better than the fourth place today which I'd call a miracle. Part of the merit goes to my team mate Stefano Gabellini who allowed me to get more speed in straights with his slipstream; compared to some rivals, we pay nearly twenty kilometres in top speed particularly to Mercedes that made a big step forward.


This handicap will have its influence tomorrow in the race; I will start on the side of Michela Cerruti: this is probably the first time ever I am happy for starting behind a rival, but her result pays off the hard work we did together with engineer Mazzola at the Grid GP's simulator.


From a technical profile I did not reach an optimal feeling with the 2011 version of Michelin's tyres, their compound seems to be harder than that used in 2010".


The weekend's programme will continue tomorrow with the two races, starting at 11.40 and 16.40 local time (GMT+2).

 
- THomas Biagi -  also photo