April 05, 2003
Brazilian qualifying results have been released for the first race in the F1VWC. Jakonen takes pole position with a 1m12.329, with Loukasmaki 2nd in a 1m12.654. 3rd went to Daniel Wilkinson with a time of 1m13.172. Only 12 drivers qualified for the first "post GPVWC" race. Irisarri qualified 7th in 1m13.602, and Kelder 8th with a 1m13.924. The climb up to the start/finish straight is very much in favour of those teams with a BHP advantage, and so it proved as both Phoenix F1 drivers lost out substantially to the more powerful teams in front.

However, intermittent rain is forecast for the race itself. This should negate some of the normal advantages of the more powerful engines. The gap between 3rd and 9th positions was less than one second, so the Team are hopeful that they can improve on their positions in the race itself.