Ananda Mikola fails to qualify for German GP

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian young driver Ananda Mikola has had to bury his dream to qualify for the German Grand Prix Formula 3000 being held at the Hockenheim circuit due to engine failure during the third lap of a 20-lap qualifying race.

Ananda had to withdraw from the qualifying list on Friday, as he failed to finish the 45-minute qualifying race due to engine problems.

The 21-year-old Indonesian, who did much better in a previous race in Austria, was very disappointed with the engine problem, caused by a fuel pressure drop.

"From the beginning, I felt that the car didn't have any power at all. During the third lap, the engine sounded like it was losing fuel and suddenly it stopped. I had to withdraw from the qualification and I'm really disappointed," he said.

Team owner Gabriel Raffanelli said: "It's Ananda's fault but it's a matter of fate."

Ananda's manager Piers Hunnisett expressed his disappointment as his driver lost another chance to try the Hockenheim circuit, which he had never raced there before.

Antara reported Friday that officials of the international automotive federation (FIA) and Zytek team, which supplies engine components to Ananda's car, were still working on the failure to see the problem.

Christian Albers and Bas Leinders were also disqualified from the race.

The eighth-leg qualification race itself had to be delayed for two hours and 30 minutes, beginning at 6:45 p.m. local time due to heavy rain.

Water in the pit, late scheduling and nightfall had forced FIA to only stage the qualification once as it ran out of time.

Thomas Enge of the Czech Republic, driving under the banner Mysap.com, clocked the fastest time of two minutes 11.990 seconds followed by teammate Thomas Scheckter of South Africa with 2:12.250 and Mark Webber from the F1 Arrows in the third place with 2:12.261. (yan)