DOHA, Qatar – 27th of November, 2007 – Today’s Free Practice started badly for French pilot Philippe Tourre of three boat Team Sweden. Driving his brand new DAC, Tourre barrel-rolled the outfit on a turn mark and although he escaped unhurt, that’s more than can be said of his boat. The engine was torn off the transom and the main cowl went missing. It’s doubtful if Team Sweden’s backroom crew will be able to fix the rig before the 1.00pm start. If Tourre is absent he will join Russian driver Stanislav Kourtsenovsky in the grandstand. Stan generously offered his boat to team partner Sami Selio who had wrecked his boat during yesterday’s first qualifying session.
The 2007 Qatar F1 extravaganza, Round 5 and 6 of the championship, two GP’s in four days has tested team managers to extremes as the first GP last Saturday caused carnage rarely seen with Leo Bonelli, Sami Selio,  Jay Price, Bob Trask all suffering extensive damage to their boats.  Several  teams took advantage of the facilities provided by the nearby Qatar Racing Headquarters to repair damaged hulls. The managers of the top teams have the benefit of a full back-up crew to assist in repairs whether to engine or boat while the smaller outfits worked throughout the night to rectify any problems. The Tamoil, Emirate and Trask teams bring a full compliment of shore crew of up to six experts while Portugal’s Duarte Benavente manages with just two. However when the second Qatar race is over, Duarte jets off to Malaysia to take part in a Formula 2 race before returning to the UAE for the final two races of the F1 season. David Sewell Reporting