PORTIMAO (POR) 19 SEPTEMBER 2009:

Edoardo Mortara's first race at the Portimao autodrome in the Algarve, Portugal, was over before it had really begun this afternoon. The Italian was involved in a first corner collision with Javier Villa, which put Edo out of the race and took his chances of gaining a good result from the weekend with it.

Edo, who had qualified a frustrated 20th, made a fantastic start from his grid slot and was already fighting to break into the top ten by the first corner. Leaving his braking as late as possible, he was forced to cut the first corner in order to avoid the bunching of his rivals, and made contact with Villa.

The Italian will thus start from the back row of the grid for tomorrow's race, the final contest of the 2009 season.

EDOARDO MORTARA:

What can I say? It was my fault and I can admit that.

I got a great start off the line, and had passed quite a few drivers by the time we reached the first corner. It's a tight chicane here, and I just left my braking a bit too late. I could see I was carrying a bit too much speed so I went to cut the corner to try and avoid everybody, but I made contact with Villa and that was it, my race was over.

It's a shame, but after qualifying it's just another annoying and frustrating disappointment to add to the mix.

Starting from the last row of the grid tomorrow will be tough, but today's race showed that it is possible to overtake here, so you never know. Although, knowing my luck, it's going to be tough!

TELMEX ARDEN INTERNATIONAL CHIEF ENGINEER - MICK COOK:

Not a lot to say really. Edo made a good start but was out of the race at the first corner. It happens, and I think that obviously the chances of contact at the first corner always go up when you start from further down the grid.

As for the chances for tomorrow's race? With both he and his team-mate failing to make it to the finish today and starting from far down the grid tomorrow, we might as well pack up and go home. But you never know.

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