Ananda Mikola fails to qualify for German GP

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)