2008 Formula BMW Americas Overall Champion Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational), of Nevada City, Calif., recorded his fourth double-pole weekend of the season in today's Round 16 and 17 qualifying session. Leading the 13-car field in this morning's practice, the 17-year old dominated the late-day single qualifying session in front of the Friday Brazilian Grand Prix crowd for his ninth and tenth pole position of the season. His two fastest laps around the 2.677 Interlagos circuit were 1:40.093 (establishing a new Formula BMW qualifying record) and 1:40.095 minutes.Qualifying on the outside of the front row for both Rounds was Daniel Juncadella (Eurointernational) with quick laps of 1:40.459 and 1:40.698 minutes. Juncadella, from Barcelona, Spain and a competitor in the Formula BMW Europe series has raced with Formula BMW Americas twice previously. His best finish was a win in Round 9 at Lime Rock Park.The surprise of the day was Rookie Luiz Felipe Nasr (Amir Nasr Racing) who qualified third for both Rounds with laps of 1:40.653 and 1:40.725 minutes. Nasr, of Brasilia, Brazil, is making his very first Formula BMW start.In the tight battle for the 2008 Formula BMW Americas Rookie title it was Giancarlo Vilarinho (Eurointernational) making the most of his home race to qualify fourth for both Rounds. Vilarinho stands fourth in the points, only 12 points behind leader Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica). Raimondo, Mikael Grenier (Apex-HBR Racing Team), in second, and Alexander Ruiz (Apex-HBR Racing Team), in third, qualified sixth, seventh and tenth respectively for Round 16.The Round 16 race is scheduled to start at 4:40 p.m. today. On Sunday, Round 17 is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m.
Qualifying - Round 16 1 Alexander Rossi Eurointernational 1:40.0932 Daniel Juncadella Euro Junior Team 1:40.4593 Luiz Felipe Nasr (R) Amir Nasr Racing 1:40.6534 Giancarlo Vilarinho (R) Eurointernational 1:40.9195 Alfonso Toledano Eurointernational 1:41.122B6 Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R) Autotecnica 1:41.1527 Mikael Grenier (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.3608 Ollie Millroy(J) Atlantic Racing Team 1:41.3859 Lucas Foresti (R) Amir Nasr Racing 1:41.54910 Alexandre Ruiz (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.60211 David Ostella (R) Eurointernational 1:41.72912 Jorge Goncalvez Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.73213 Ricardo Favoretto(J) Autotecnica 1:42.104 Qualifying - Round 17 1 Alexander Rossi Eurointernational 1:40.0952 Daniel Juncadella Euro Junior Team 1:40.6983 Luiz Felipe Nasr (R) Amir Nasr Racing 1:40.7254 Giancarlo Vilarinho (R) Eurointernational 1:40.9255 Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R) Autotecnica 1:41.2326 Ollie Millroy (J) Atlantic Racing Team 1:41.3947 Mikael Grenier (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.4088 Alfonso Toledano Eurointernational 1:41.4689 Alexandre Ruiz (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.66210 Jorge Goncalvez Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.82411 David Ostella (R) Eurointernational 1:41.83812 Lucas Foresti (R) Amir Nasr Racing 1:42.04413 Ricardo Favoretto (J) Autotecnica 1:42.282 J = Formula BMW Junior
R = Rookie
Qualifying - Round 16 1 Alexander Rossi Eurointernational 1:40.0932 Daniel Juncadella Euro Junior Team 1:40.4593 Luiz Felipe Nasr (R) Amir Nasr Racing 1:40.6534 Giancarlo Vilarinho (R) Eurointernational 1:40.9195 Alfonso Toledano Eurointernational 1:41.122B6 Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R) Autotecnica 1:41.1527 Mikael Grenier (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.3608 Ollie Millroy(J) Atlantic Racing Team 1:41.3859 Lucas Foresti (R) Amir Nasr Racing 1:41.54910 Alexandre Ruiz (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.60211 David Ostella (R) Eurointernational 1:41.72912 Jorge Goncalvez Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.73213 Ricardo Favoretto(J) Autotecnica 1:42.104 Qualifying - Round 17 1 Alexander Rossi Eurointernational 1:40.0952 Daniel Juncadella Euro Junior Team 1:40.6983 Luiz Felipe Nasr (R) Amir Nasr Racing 1:40.7254 Giancarlo Vilarinho (R) Eurointernational 1:40.9255 Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R) Autotecnica 1:41.2326 Ollie Millroy (J) Atlantic Racing Team 1:41.3947 Mikael Grenier (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.4088 Alfonso Toledano Eurointernational 1:41.4689 Alexandre Ruiz (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.66210 Jorge Goncalvez Apex-HBR Racing Team 1:41.82411 David Ostella (R) Eurointernational 1:41.83812 Lucas Foresti (R) Amir Nasr Racing 1:42.04413 Ricardo Favoretto (J) Autotecnica 1:42.282 J = Formula BMW Junior
R = Rookie