Frenchman Olivier Pla described his victory in the International F3 Korea Super Prix today (November 24, 2002), as the most important moment of his career.

The 21-year-old took the win in his ASM Dallara after fending off the challenge of Japanese pair Takashi Kogure and Kousuke Matsuura. Pla finished in first place in both legs of the event and didn't put a wheel wrong throughout the weekend.

The delighted driver said: "I can say that this is the biggest win I have ever had. Some eyes from Formula One may be looking at this event, and it is good that I have won.

"I was pleased with my performance this weekend because I have been the fastest car on the circuit all weekend and I haven't made a single mistake. You could say it was the perfect weekend for me," he added.

Pla, who will contest the European Formula Three Championship next season with his ASM team, had never driven on the demanding Korean circuit. "It was a real challenge, and I am happy to have conquered it," he said. "At the moment I am just going to enjoy my win before I start working for next season."

Japanese driver Takashi Kogure overtook compatriot Kousuke Matsuura away from the start line at the beginning of the second leg and secured second place. The 22-year-old MugenxDome Project driver said he thought he had a quick enough car to win the race, but was forced to follow in the wheeltracks of Pla.

"He drove a really good race and although I could catch up to the back of his car, I could not overtake him. I am happy with the result because this is an important race with some of the best drivers from across the world."

Kogure took advantage when front-row starter, Finn Heikki Kovalainen, was forced to pull off the grid when he suffered a driveshaft failure on his Fortec Motorsport Dallara just as the race was about to begin.

Third-placed Kousuke Matsuura, 23, felt lining up on the second row directly behind Pla was a disadvantage. The Prema Powerteam driver said: "I was in the shaded part of the circuit which was cooler and it meant I didn't get enough grip away from the start line, which handed the advantage to Kogure. Once you get behind it is almost impossible to get the position back.

"My car was also lacking a little in straight line speed which meant that when the two in front of me got on to the main straight, I was losing ground to them. Today was a question of the settings on the car and mine weren't good enough to win."

An estimated 62,000 spectators turned out to cheer the Formula 3 field around the 3.014 Changwon Circuit.

November 24, 2002