16/04/2010 - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, 16 Aprile 2010 - The qualifying practices of the first round of the 2010 World Championship, held at Abu Dhabi, were suspended today due to an accident.

The decision arrived when there were only two minutes and forty seconds left to conclude the first of three scheduled sessions. The racing committee confirmed the partial result of Q1, so the starting line of tomorrow's race will feature Brazilian driver Enrique Bernoldi at the wheel of Vitaphone Racing Team's Maserati MC12 no. 2 in third place. Phoenix Racing/Carsport's Zuber/Hennerici got pole position. The other Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati, Bartels/Bertolini's no. 1, obtained fifth position, whereas the Triple H Team Hegersport's no. 33 with Heger/Margaritis got twelfth place and Bobbi/Longin's no. 34 obtained sixteenth place. 

The car involved in the accident was Ford GT Matech's no. 6, driven by Natacha Gachnang. The driver was flown to the hospital in a helicopter. It was announced she fractured a leg - but medical exams are still underway.

Car n. 2 - Ramos/Bernoldi (Vitaphone Racing Team) - pos. 3 
Car n. 1 - Bartels/Bertolini (Vitaphone Racing Team) - pos. 5
Car n. 33 - Heger/Margaritis (Triple H Team Hegersport) - pos. 12
Car n. 34 - Bobbi/Longin (Triple H Team Hegersport) - pos. 16