The thirteenth Marlboro Masters event opened today at the Dutch Zandvoort circuit.

Zandvoort’s Circuit Park, only 25km from Amsterdam and close to the sea, will this weekend host a race between the F3 champions from around the world. Also on show will be the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro pair of Luca Badoer and Felipe Massa and Moto GP stars Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, from the Ducati Marlboro Team. The motorcycle team have also brought along a two-seater bike, ridden by the famous American biker Randy Mamola.

During the day 49 drivers took part in qualifying to decide the starting grid for tomorrow. Thirty six drivers made it through the session.

Luca Badoer and Felipe Massa put on a demonstration in two F2001 single-seaters. ‘For me it’s always a pleasure to come to Zandvoort’, said Luca Badoer. He is also the holder of the fastest lap time (1.19.880) set last year in the F2001. ‘This is now the seventh time for me: I have been here seven times with Ferrari and in 1991 I took part in the F3 race. I like the atmosphere and the setting is great.’

For Felipe Massa it is his first Marlboro Masters. ‘I have never been involved in an F3 race, I have only tested single-seaters here in Formula Renault and F3000’, the Brazilian revealed. ‘I am happy to be taking part; it will be a lot of fun. I hope to also have the chance to see Amsterdam. I like the circuit a lot, even if it is a demanding one where it is difficult to spot the braking points given the constant ups and downs.’

The Marlboro Masters ends tomorrow when the winner of the F3 race will be crowned.