Marlboro Masters 2001

MARLBORO MASTERS 2001: JAPANESE ANTHEM IN ZANDVOORT

With Takuma Sato (Dallara Mugen Honda) for the first time in the 11 years´history of the Marlboro Masters a Japanese driver won that event. The 24 years old BAR Formula One test driver, at the moment in the leading position of the British Formula 3 Championship scored a fine start to finish victory never been in danger by other competitors. After 25 laps Sato had not only got a 9.228 seconds lead, but also did the fastest lap with 1:35.240 min. "This is my most important victory," said the man with the jockey´s physique in front of a crowd of 65.000 spectators. "Now I will go back to England to fight for the British title and then I should be able to have some Formla One testing in winter." Such a self-confidence the Japanese easily could afford, because both in qualifying and the race he was the dominating man.

André Lotterer (Dallara Mugen Honda) finished second place. The 19 years old German from Duisburg, this year also competing in the British championship and being 4th in the 2000 German championship had to fight for his podium position more than Sato. "Especially at mid-race Anthony Davidson (Dallara Mugen Honda put much pressure on me," he said. "In spite that, the 2nd place was pretty sure. I am absolutely happy." 22 years old Davidson, like Sato driving for the british top team of Carlin Motorsport, came home 3rd, 3/10 seconds behind the German.

Only after the start some difficult manoevres took place in the famous Tarzan Boocht. At this occasion Frenchman Benoit Treluyer (Dallara Renault Sodemo) stranded. Therefore the second place man of qualifying and leader of the Japanese championship only finished 24th place. Ryo Fukuda from Japan, current leader of the French championship, finished 9th, while the top man of the German championship, Toshihiro Kaneishi (Dallara Opel Spiess), also from Japan scored the 7th position.

J H/formel3.com

Results:

Marlboro Masters 2001, 25 Laps, Zandvoort Circuit, The Netherlands, 5th August 2001

1 Takuma Sato/JPN, Dallara F300, 39:58.870 min

2 André Lotterer/D, Dallara F300, 40:08.098

3 Anthony Davidson/GB, Dallara F301, 40:08.557

4 Gianmaria Bruni/I, Dallara F301

5 Tiago Monteiro/PORT, Dallara F300

6 Mark Taylor/GB, Dallara F300

Overall 30 competitors classified

l Motorsport Extra l F3 l