Ananda's sensational Formula 3000 debut

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's best racing hope Ananda Mikola finished fifth in a sensational debut in the Formula 3000 initial round at Vallelunga Circuit in Italy on Sunday. He also collected two championship points.

Ananda's manager Piers Hunnisett said the 18-year-old Indonesian, who started in fifth position on the grid, executed a clever maneuver on the first lap to move to third.

Leaders Marco Apicella and Paolo Montin, both of Italy, held up Ananda as they approached the first corner, allowing pole sitter Polo Villaamil and Giorgio Vinella to pass him again.

Ananda, son of former top driver Tinton Suprapto, fought hard to try to move to fourth, but could not due to the evenly matched power of the vehicles and design of the circuit.

After the demanding 32-lap race, Ananda held onto fifth after Apicella, Montin, Villaamil and Vinella. Experienced Apicella, driving for the Monaco Team, has competed several times in Formula 1 competition.

Ananda, competing for the Edenbridge Racing team, said: "I feel very happy and satisfied with my results in the first round. My next target in the second round is to grab a top three position and a place on the podium."

Hunnisett said in a faxed message: "This was a very good result for Ananda, and the experience he gained today will help him to achieve a better result at the next race in the Monza circuit on June 27."

"Unlike Formula 3 races, a driver has to pace himself similar to Formula I, which Ananda did very well."

Ananda said he was in good physical condition and did not feel tired after the race.

"It was a long, hard race and you really notice the difference between F-3000 and Formula 3 physically."

In the F-3000, only six drivers receive points: 10 points for the champion, eight for runner-up, six for third-place finisher, three for fourth, two for fifth and one for sixth.

Edenbridge team manager John Village expressed satisfaction with Ananda's performance.

"I didn't expect him to score points so early in the season and he demonstrated to all of us that he has a lot of talent." (yan)