Jon Lancaster Secures Maiden GP2 Victory On Home Soil At Silverstone
Jon Lancaster has secured his maiden GP2 victory on home soil around the legendary Silverstone circuit, after a superb drive from 4th on the grid. The 24-year-old was joined on the podium by Indonesian ace Rio Haryanto, with fellow countryman James Calado 3rd. Pole-man Julian Leal eventually finished 4th for Racing Engineering.
At the start Jon Lancaster enjoyed a stupendous getaway off of the line, launching himself from 4th to 1st by the opening corner as Julian Leal plummeted down the order despite initially starting from pole. James Calado rose to 3rd for ART Grand Prix, as the local drivers continued to thrive around the Silverstone circuit. As the field negotiated the fast opening curve, the DAMS of Stephane Richelmi locked his brakes and ran into the side of Jolyon Palmer. Despite sustaining minor damage, the duo managed to continue circulating.
As Jon Lancaster proceeded to open up a considerable lead at the front, Johnny Cecotto jr. was forced to pit after the opening lap for a new front-wing. A momentary safety car period was caused on Lap 2 after Daniel Abt spun at Turn 2, coming to rest in the middle of the track. As the safety car bunched the field up, Nathaniel Berthon became the second retirement after returning to the pits.
Upon the restart Jon Lancaster simply stormed into a commanding lead behind the wheel of his Hilmer Motorsport machine, as Felipe Nasr continued his rise through the order to 8th after initially starting way down the order. Sergio Canamasas sustained damage to his front-wing after jostling for position at Turn 4, which forced the Spaniard to limp back to the pits for a replacement. The Caterham driver’s minor incident saw lots of debris strewn across the circuit, which the brave and ever-efficient British marshals proceeded to clear under double-waved yellow flags.
As the sprint race progressed with local ace Jon Lancaster continuing to extend his lead at the front, team-mate Robin Frijns was forced into an unfortunate retirement after an issue was discovered on his car. Further down the order Jake Rosenzweig suffered a disastrous tyre failure, which forced the American driver to limp back to the pits and subsequently plummet through the order. After damaging his front-wing at the start of the race, Johnny Cecotto jr. became the next retirement as the Venezuelan driver peeled off of the circuit down Hangar Straight.
Due to his earlier pit-stop for a new front-wing, Sergio Canamasas found himself a lap down and in the middle of the pack as the race entered it’s closing stages. Unfortunately the 27-year-old Spaniard failed to adhere to the regulations as he held up the Carlin of Jolyon Palmer, who was trying his best to lap the Caterham driver. Eventually the Briton lunged up the inside at Turn 6, which resulted in retirement as duo collided. Sergio Canamasas was subsequently struck with a ten second stop/go penalty, as Jolyon Palmer limped back to the support race pits into a frustrating retirement.
As the race drew to a frenetic conclusion, battles for position raged on throughout the order between the likes of Sam Bird, Tom Dillmann, Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson. However, Jon Lancaster remained untroubled as he cruised across the line in dominant style to secure his maiden GP2 victory on home soil. The Briton was joined on the podium by Indonesian sensation Rio Haryanto, with the ART Grand Prix of James Calado 3rd.
Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP2 Series Media Service
Johnny Cecotto jr. Completes Move To Arden International For 2013
Venezuelan GP2 driver Johnny Cecotto jr. has switched to Arden International for the 2013 GP2 Series season, which will be the 23 year-old’s fifth season in the support category. Cecotto jr. enjoyed his most competitive season last year with Barwa Addax, securing two victories and four podium finishes including a victory at Monte-Carlo.
Johnny Cecotto jr.’s successful 2012 campaign ended with another Formula 1 test drive at the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test, this time at Toro Rosso alongside former Arden International GP2 driver and Championship contender Luiz Razia. Cecotto jr. tested for Arden International during the post-season test at Jerez in Spain, as well as also testing for Barwa Addax and Carlin. After Arden enjoyed a sensationally competitive 2012 season with Luiz Razia almost clinching the Drivers’ Championship, Johnny Cecotto jr. is understandably targeting similar successes in the coming season.
“I’m delighted to have signed for Arden Motorsport.” Enthused Johnny Cecotto jr., “It’s one of the best teams in current motorsport with a great history too. We had the possibility to get to know each other in a test and straight away there was a great feeling between the engineers, mechanics and me. I feel it was the right moment to sign so that we have plenty of time to prepare for the Championship well and I can also prepare mentally and physically for the 2013 GP2 Series. The target is definitely to win the Championship and I’m sure that both the team and I have the potential to do so.”
It is as of yet unknown who the Venezuelan’s team-mate at Arden International will be for 2013, however strong speculation is linking reigning GP3 Champion Mitch Evans to the vacancy, largely due to his connections within the team. The Kiwi dominated proceedings during 2012 with the Mark Webber-backed Arden GP3 outfit, and has already tested for both Arden and DAMS in GP2.
Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP2 Series Media Service
Rio Haryanto Switches To Barwa Addax For 2013
Rio Haryanto has switched to Barwa Addax for the 2013 GP2 Series season, after his competitive debut season in the series with Carlin alongside Max Chilton. The Indonesian star graduated from GP3 in 2012, and enjoyed relative success including one pole position and several points scoring finishes. With Carlin signing Jolyon Palmer and Felipe Nasr for 2013, Haryanto has been forced to look elsewhere for a drive.
During his debut season in GP2, Rio Haryanto was once again able to test Formula 1 machinery at Marussia’s Young Driver Test programme at Silverstone in July. The 19-year-old was able to carry out the test alongside then GP2 team-mate Max Chilton, who has recently graduated from the world of GP2 to Formula 1 with Marussia. Like with all drivers currently racing in GP2 and GP3, Rio Haryanto’s ambitions are to emulate Max Chilton in one day progressing up the motor sport ladder to F1.
“I am pleased to be joining the Addax Team for 2013, they are a team that have a very good history in GP2 with many of their drivers progressing into Formula 1.” Explained Rio Haryanto, “This will be my second year in GP2 so with all the experience gained I am confident that 2013 will be a successful year. I would like to thank my sponsors Pertamina, Garuda Indonesia, Telkomsel and Kiky for their continued support.”
Barwa Addax took three victories throughout the 2012 GP2 Series season, at three of the season’s most iconic venues at Monte-Carlo, Hockenheim and Spa-Francorchamps. Rio Haryanto, who is still searching for his maiden GP2 victory, will understandably be striving to emulate those results for the Spanish outfit, who were Constructors’ Champions in 2008 and 2011.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Marcus Ericsson Fastest On Day 1 Of GP2 Post-Season Jerez Test
Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson has ended the opening day of the last GP2 post-season test at Jerez fastest, after testing for reigning Champions DAMS alongside Rio Haryanto. Felipe Nasr of Carlin was fastest throughout the foggy morning period, however conditions improved as the day progressed.
As the teams and drivers prepared to take to the Jerez circuit for the opening session in the morning, visibility was still pretty poor around the Spanish circuit. Within the first thirty minutes of track action, proceedings were momentarily halted by a red flag period as visibility failed to improve, particularly between Turns 6 and 7. However, the session was quickly resumed as the Lotus of Jolyon Palmer headed the timing sheets with the Trident of Stephane Richelmi a close 2nd.
However, as the track conditions gradually improved throughout the morning period, more and more drivers began taking to the track. This saw Palmer’s time at the top thwarted by Marcus Ericsson, with Rio Haryanto going 2nd fastest overall. As the morning session neared its conclusion, Felipe Nasr shot to the top with a 01:26.810, with Stephane Richelmi a very close 2nd and Stefano Coletti 3rd.
Felipe Nasr was fastest in the morning period, which started in foggy conditions.
Prior to the resumption of track action for the afternoon period, the sun finally broke through the heavy cloud cover, vastly improving track conditions. Stefano Coletti set the early pace for Rapax, however as the day drew to a close many drivers took to the track to try and improve upon their times. Felipe Nasr once again rose to the top, however in the final hour the skies once again clouded over as temperatures fell.
With only thirty minutes left of the day, Marcus Ericsson reasserted his authority over proceedings with a 01:26.717. This was the fastest time of the day, and saw Ericsson remain fastest as the day was brought to a conclusion. The Swede was followed by Alexander Sims in 2nd and Kevin Giovesi in 3rd.
The GP2 fraternity will return to the Jerez circuit tomorrow morning at 9am local time, as various returnees and rookies of the Series strive to gain valuable track action in GP2.
Morning times: Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Felipe Nasr Carlin 1m26.810s 2. Stephane Richelmi Trident 1m26.898s + 0.088s 3. Stefano Coletti Rapax 1m26.926s + 0.116s 4. Marcus Ericsson DAMS 1m26.934s + 0.124s 5. Johnny Cecotto Carlin 1m27.110s + 0.300s 6. Fabio Onidi Coloni 1m27.308s + 0.498s 7. Mitch Evans Arden 1m27.426s + 0.616s 8. Rio Haryanto DAMS 1m27.427s + 0.617s 9. Kevin Giovesi Lazarus 1m27.553s + 0.743s 10. Alexander Sims Addax 1m27.562s + 0.752s 11. Daniel De Jong Coloni 1m27.575s + 0.765s 12. Nigel Melker Racing Engineering 1m27.664s + 0.854s 13. Alexander Rossi Caterham 1m27.767s + 0.957s 14. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Arden 1m27.772s + 0.962s 15. Jolyon Palmer Lotus 1m27.791s + 0.981s 16. Daniel Juncadella Rapax 1m27.795s + 0.985s 17. Julian Leal Trident 1m27.801s + 0.991s 18. Sergio Canamasas iSport 1m27.827s + 1.017s 19. Daniel Abt Lotus 1m27.861s + 1.051s 20. Simon Trummer Caterham 1m27,962s + 1.152s 21. Rene Binder Racing Engineering 1m28.034s + 1.224s 22. Kevin Mirocha Lazarus 1m28.210s + 1.400s 23. Jake Rosenzweig Addax 1m28.682s + 1.872s 24. Jolyon Palmer iSport 25. Ramon Pinero Ocean Afternoon times: Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Marcus Ericsson DAMS 1m26.717s 2. Alexander Sims Addax 1m26.883s + 0.166s 3. Kevin Giovesi Lazarus 1m27.043s + 0.326s 4. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Arden 1m27.059s + 0.342s 5. Stephane Richelmi Trident 1m27.111s + 0.394s 6. Fabio Onidi Coloni 1m27.114s + 0.397s 7. Johnny Cecotto Carlin 1m27.135s + 0.418s 8. Stefano Coletti Rapax 1m27.162s + 0.445s 9. Felipe Nasr Carlin 1m27.166s + 0.449s 10. Rio Haryanto DAMS 1m27.188s + 0.471s 11. Alexander Rossi Caterham 1m27.257s + 0.540s 12. Kevin Mirocha Lazarus 1m27.293s + 0.576s 13. Jolyon Palmer Lotus 1m27.324s + 0.607s 14. Julian Leal Trident 1m27.343s + 0.626s 15. Daniel Juncadella Rapax 1m27.474s + 0.757s 16. Daniel De Jong Coloni 1m27.598s + 0.881s 17. Nigel Melker Racing Engineering 1m27.645s + 0.928s 18. Sergio Canamasas iSport 1m27.755s + 1.038s 19. Mitch Evans Arden 1m27.811s + 1.094s 20. Daniel Abt Lotus 1m27.874s + 1.157s 21. Rene Binder Racing Engineering 1m27.900s + 1.183s 22. Simon Trummer Caterham 1m27.920s + 1.203s 23. Jake Rosenzweig Addax 1m28.662s + 1.945s
Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP2 Series Media Service
Alexander Rossi Ends GP2 Winter Test Fastest At Barcelona
Alexander Rossi has ended the two-day GP2 winter test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya fastest, in conditions starkly contrasting to yesterday with rain persistently lashing down during the morning period. This presented the drivers with extremely treacherous track conditions, as Facu Regalia set the pace in the morning.
The morning session began with heavy rain pounding the Circuit de Catalunya, initially preventing anyone from setting a timed lap once proceedings began. Eventually drivers began to brave the elements and leave the confines of the pit lane, before the Lotus GP of Sergio Canamasas set the first timed lap of the day, albeit woefully off of the pace from yesterday.
As the morning session slowly progressed, Jolyon Palmer rose to the top as still the rain persistently fell upon the circuit. Halfway through the session, Nigel Melker went fastest for Racing Engineering, before Argentine team-mate Facu Regalia asserted his authority over proceedings. Rene Binder caused the first red flag delay of the day, as the Venezuela GP Lazarus driver spun at turn five.
Facu Regalia ended the morning session fastest in treacherous conditions.
The rain cleared for the final hour of the morning session, allowing times to quickly tumble as the track began to dry out. Alexander Rossi rose to the top for Caterham, before further red flag delays from rookie Sergei Sirotkin and Rene Binder hindered proceedings. As the morning session drew to a conclusion, Facu Regalia was fastest ahead of Sergio Canamasas and Alexander Rossi.
Once track action was resumed after the one hour break, Stefano Coletti, Daniel de Jong and Eddie Cheever jr. were the first to return to a less damp Circuit de Catalunya. Sergio Canamasas once again set the early pace, but with the track conditions greatly improving, Pau Varhaug quickly improved ahead of team-mate Jolyon Palmer at iSport International. However, the Norwegian driver joined Frenchman Arthur Pic in the gravel only moments later to bring out another red flag delay.
Once the session was resumed, the sun began to shine down on the Circuit de Catalunya, igniting fresh hope that slick tyres might make an appearance before the end of the days running. As the afternoon session wore on, Nigel Melker and Stefano Coletti momentarily went fastest, before Rene Binder once again brought proceedings to a halt by spinning off at turn seven. Once normality was resumed, Alexander Rossi went fastest ahead of rookie Daniel Abt.
Further red flag delays plagued proceedings as the day drew to a conclusion, with Daniel Juncadella and then Lucas Foresti both running off the track on separate occasions. However, no-one could match the earlier pace set by Alexander Rossi, as the day ended under red flag conditions courtesy of Pau Varhaug who made contact with the barrier at turn four. The GP2 paddock will reconvene for the final post-season winter test in three weeks time at Jerez.
Picture(s) Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Luca Filippi Takes Stunning Comeback Victory At Monza
The most experienced driver in the history of GP2 racing, Luca Filippi, has stormed to an amazing comeback victory after snatching the lead away from pole man Max Chilton. The Italian driver then streaked into the distance, to eventually win the GP2 feature race by four seconds over the Barwa Addax on Johnny Cecotto jr.
Amazingly, there was no contact as the 26 car field negotiated turns 1 and 2 at the start, contrary to many who predicted at least some contact. Giedo van der Garde suffered a torrid start for Caterham, as the Dutchman plummeted through the field at the start and eventually became the first retirement as Max Chilton led at the front.
James Calado, who is currently locked in a grueling Championship battle with team-mate Esteban Gutierrez, lost a part of his front wing through turns 1 and 2 after the opening lap. The Briton then skipped through the run-off area along with Fabio Onidi, who also had extensive front wing damage. This forced the marshals to impose the black and orange flag on Onidi, who eventually adhered to the rules and pitted with his front wing precariously dangling off of his car.
By lap 6, the opening pit stops were being carried out as the likes of Esteban Gutierrez, Stefano Coletti and Simon Trummer pitted first. Luca Filippi pitted on lap 8 along with Championship leader Davide Valsecchi, whilst fellow Championship rival Luiz Razia was unceremoniously taken out by the Racing Engineering of Fabio Leimer. Razia beached his Arden car on the kerbing, and became the second retirement of the race. This eventuality proved shocking in the Championship fight, with Davide Valsecchi and Luiz Razia tied at the top of the Drivers’ Championship.
Max Chilton and Marcus Ericsson then became the next front runners to pit, with Max Chilton rejoining the circuit only just ahead of Luca Filippi. This pit stop at the front gifted the lead down to Johnny Cecotto jr., who had yet to pit for Barwa Addax. Chilton’s lead over Filippi failed to last for long, as the local driver wasted no time in overtaking the Briton for what would become the lead once the rest of the field pitted.
Fabio Leimer once again became embroiled in another on-track collision, this time with the DAMS of Felipe Nasr. Unlike Luiz Razia, Nasr was able to continue racing, however the Brazilian driver eventually pitted and retired with damage to his car. Johnny Cecotto jr. pitted on lap 13, handing the lead down to the Ocean Racing Technology driver of Nigel Melker. The Dutchman’s team-mate, Victor Guerin, was issued with a drive-thru penalty for speeding in the pits, before he too pitted on lap 21. This handed the lead to Stephane Richelmi, who had also yet to pit.
However, when the Trident Racing of Richelmi finally pitted on lap 22, Luca Filippi assumed the lead. The Italian driver had opened up a considerable lead at the front, and was literally romping away as Max Chilton was overtaken by the Barwa Addax of Johnny Cecotto jr. As the race entered it’s closing stages, it became apparent that Luca Filippi would not be challenged at the front, as the former runner-up of the Series majestically crossed the line to pick up a memorable race victory on home soil. This was amazingly Filippi’s first race in GP2 since the Italian race last year, proving that the 27-year-old Italian had not lost any of his competitive edge.
Local driver Stefano Coletti finished 8th, and will therefore start tomorrow morning’s sprint race from the reverse grid pole. Coletti moved from Coloni to Rapax prior to this weekend’s race, thus allowing Filippi the chance to make a return to the Series.
Results - 30 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Luca Filippi Coloni 48m03.604s
2. Johnny Cecotto Jr Addax + 4.028s
3. Marcus Ericsson iSport + 5.377s
4. Max Chilton Carlin + 7.631s
5. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering + 9.413s
6. Davide Valsecchi DAMS + 16.057s
7. Jolyon Palmer iSport + 17.600s
8. Stefano Coletti Rapax + 18.532s
9. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus + 19.293s
10. Julian Leal Trident + 20.025s
11. Nigel Melker Ocean + 20.464s
12. James Calado Lotus + 26.027s
13. Stephane Richelmi Trident + 27.890s
14. Sergio Canamasas Lazarus + 31.193s
15. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering + 31.910s
16. Simon Trummer Arden + 35.375s
17. Rene Binder Lazarus + 38.769s
18. Jake Rosenzweig Addax + 40.226s
19. Rio Haryanto Carlin + 42.638s
20. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax + 43.152s
21. Fabio Onidi Coloni + 44.769s
22. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham + 56.350s
23. Victor Guerin Ocean + 1m01.984s
Retirements:
Felipe Nasr DAMS 13 laps
Luiz Razia Arden 8 laps
Giedo van der Garde Caterham 0 laps
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP2 Series Media Service
Max Chilton Storms To GP2 Pole At Monza
Max Chilton was able to capitalize on his earlier pace set during practice, as the Briton stormed to his second pole of the season during the 30 minute qualifying session earlier this afternoon. The Carlin driver will start tomorrow’s race alongside former race winner Giedo van der Garde, who almost clinched pole prior to Chilton’s rise to the top.
Like with the rest of the days running, the GP2 qualifying session was run in glorious weather conditions, a stark contrast to the treacherous conditions experienced at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend. As soon as the session went green, the whole of the GP2 field immediately took to the track. Johnny Cecotto jr., Fabio Leimer and Fabio Onidi all momentarily shared the top spot, before the Caterham of Giedo van der Garde shot to the top to take control of the session.
As the session entered its closing stages, it looked as though the Dutchman was set to secure his second pole position of the season. However, this likelihood was dismissed by rising British star Max Chilton, who sailed to the top of the timing sheets with only several minutes of the session remaining. Giedo van der Garde was able to improve upon his time, however the 27-year-old Dutchman remained in 2nd.
Max Chilton then ended the session in dramatic style, as he pushed to strengthen his lead at the top, the Briton spun upon negotiating turn 11. Chilton embedded his Carlin within the gravel, bringing out the yellow flags and preventing anyone else from improving on their own times. This cemented Chilton on pole position for the main feature race, which will take place tomorrow afternoon.
With 19 drivers qualifying within a second of each other after today’s frenetic 30 minute session, it’s unquestionable that tomorrow’s penultimate feature race will be a hotly contested event. Luiz Razia, who is currently tied atop the Drivers’ Championship with Davide Valsecchi, will start only 12th for tomorrow’s race, and will naturally be striving for a competitive result.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Max Chilton Carlin 1m31.886s 2. Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1m31.953s + 0.067s 3. Johnny Cecotto Jr Addax 1m32.151s + 0.265s 4. Luca Filippi Coloni 1m32.165s + 0.279s 5. Davide Valsecchi DAMS 1m32.208s + 0.322s 6. Marcus Ericsson iSport 1m32.216s + 0.330s 7. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering 1m32.324s + 0.438s 8. Fabio Onidi Coloni 1m32.388s + 0.502s 9. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus 1m32.396s + 0.510s 10. Felipe Nasr DAMS 1m32.462s + 0.576s 11. Rio Haryanto Carlin 1m32.471s + 0.585s 12. Luiz Razia Arden 1m32.495s + 0.609s 13. James Calado Lotus 1m32.622s + 0.736s 14. Nigel Melker Ocean 1m32.625s + 0.739s 15. Jolyon Palmer iSport 1m32.659s + 0.773s 16. Stefano Coletti Rapax 1m32.675s + 0.789s 17. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering 1m32.769s + 0.883s 18. Sergio Canamasas Lazarus 1m32.772s + 0.886s 19. Simon Trummer Arden 1m32.889s + 1.003s 20. Victor Guerin Ocean 1m32.911s + 1.025s 21. Rene Binder Lazarus 1m32.967s + 1.081s 22. Stephane Richelmi Trident 1m32.969s + 1.083s 23. Julian Leal Trident 1m32.989s + 1.103s 24. Jake Rosenzweig Addax 1m33.109s + 1.223s 25. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham 1m33.511s + 1.625s 26. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax 1m33.719s + 1.833s
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Jake Rosenzweig Replaces Josef Kral At Barwa Addax For Monza
American driver Jake Rosenzweig will make his return to the GP2 Series this weekend in Monza, as the 23-year-old prepares to replace Josef Kral for this weekend’s penultimate race weekend of the season. This comes after Kral won last time out in Belgium, and is the second time the Czech driver has been replaced this season.
Jake Rosenzweig raced for Super Nova Racing in last season’s non-Championship final at Abu Dhabi, and has this season raced in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series (World Series by Renault) for ISR, albeit yielding slightly uncompetitive results with a personal best of 6th at Spa-Francorchamps earlier in the year. This is the third driver change ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, after Stefano Coletti moved from Coloni to Rapax, forcing Coloni to re-sign Luca Filippi to fill his vacant seat.
This change is the second time Barwa Addax have replaced Josef Kral, after the Czech driver was replaced by HRT reserve driver Dani Clos for the two back-to-back Bahrain races at the start of the season. Although the Czech driver has endured a highly uncompetitive season throughout 2012, Josef Kral did win last time out at Spa-Francorchamps. However, this was only Kral’s second finish in the points all season, and could well be the reason behind why Addax have replaced Kral with Rosenzweig.
Jake Rosenzweig will become the first American driver to partake in an official GP2 event since the inaugural season back in 2005, when Scott Speed raced for iSport International alongside Turkish driver Can Artam. Barwa Addax have won three races so far this season, with both Josef Kral and Johnny Cecotto jr. victorious throughout the year. Jake Rosenzweig will undoubtedly be striving to emulate those results, and battle at the sharp end of the field for a competitive race result once the action gets underway this weekend.
Picture Copyright © Drew Gibson/GP2 Series Media Service
Josef Kral Takes Lights To Flag Victory In GP2 Sprint Race
Josef Kral has taken his maiden GP2 victory after a dominant lights to flag victory during the GP2 sprint race, ahead of the late charging DAMS of Felipe Nasr. The Brazilian driver only just clinched 2nd ahead of James Calado at the final corner of the final lap, in yet another sensationally exciting GP2 sprint race.
Once the five red lights went out at the start, Josef Kral immediately stormed into the lead, robbing pole man Felipe Nasr as the field negotiated turn 1. Further back and total carnage ensued as Johnny Cecotto jr. collided with Max Chilton, tipping the Briton into a spin as the other drivers took drastic avoiding action. Championship contender Luiz Razia suffered a major blow on the opening lap, as the Brazilian was forced wide on the exit of turn 4 after running side-by-side with the Lotus of James Calado. Luiz Razia spun of the wet grass right across the track, and collected the DAMS of fellow Championship contender Davide Valsecchi, who took extreme avoiding action, running onto the grass and tapping the barriers.
This thrilling opening lap set the pace for the rest of the race, as James Calado set to hunting down race leader Josef Kral. At the end of the opening lap, many drivers including Championship contenders Luiz Razia and Davide Valsecchi pitted. Johnny Cecotto jr. was the first retirement, after eventually peeling off the track due to his collision at the start with the Carlin of Max Chilton.
Whilst Josef Kral asserted his authority at the front of the pack, the Lotus of Esteban Gutierrez became locked in a battle with the Trident Racing duo of Julian Leal and Stephane Richelmi. Luiz Razia’s dismal race continued on lap 6, as the Brazilian driver pitted once again for new tyres in what was turning out to be his most uncompetitive race of the season.
Sergio Canamasas, who raised many eyebrows yesterday for his questionable defending, spun at turns 18 and 19, on his way to becoming the second retirement of the race. The Spaniard was then joined in retirement by Championship contender Davide Valsecchi, who eventually pitted for retirement after his off with Razia on the opening lap. Esteban Gutierrez’s race was practically ruined on lap 10, as the Mexican tried to overtake the Trident of Stephane Richelmi at turn 7. This maneuver subsequently ended in tears, as the two collided and were forced to trek through the gravel trap before eventually rejoining the race.
As the race entered it’s closing stages, it became apparent that no driver would be able to catch the dominant Josef Kral. However, the battle 2nd place was gathering momentum throughout the closing laps, as James Calado began to defend his position desperately against the DAMS of Felipe Nasr. The Brazilian driver was unable to find a way around the Briton until the final corner of the final lap, adding insult to injury to James Calado who desperately needed the victory.
The GP2 Series now moves swiftly on to the historic Autodromo Nazionale Monza, for the penultimate round of this highly entertaining season. With neither Luiz Razia or Davide Valsecchi scoring points in the race, the Championship leading duo remain tied atop the Championship on 204 points apiece.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Services
Fabio Leimer Fastest In Soaking GP2 Practice At Spa
Fabio Leimer has ended practice for this weekend’s GP2 event fastest in soaking conditions at Spa-Francorchamps, with the visibility practically impenetrable for the drivers. The session saw numerous spills and thrills, with Johnny Cecotto jr. bringing a premature end to proceedings with a nasty incident at turn 10.
The start to the opening session of the GP2 weekend was delayed by five minutes, with the conditions gradually worsening as the drivers made their way from the support event paddock to the Formula 1 pit lane. The Lotus duo of Esteban Gutierrez and James Calado led a long line of waiting cars onto the track as the session got underway, with the rain lashing down upon the legendary Spa circuit.
Esteban Gutierrez set the initial pace for Lotus, albeit after running slightly wide at turn 18’s Bus Stop chicane, with a 02:31.201. The Mexican’s team-mate, James Calado, then went faster still with a 02:30.530. Whilst the two Lotus drivers battled for supremacy at the top, Jolyon Palmer and Stefano Coletti spun throughout the turn 5 and 6 Les Combes section of the track. Just like with Formula 1 earlier in the morning, this section of the track seemed the trickiest for the drivers with numerous spins occurring throughout the session.
Whilst Palmer and Coletti returned to racing speeds after their separate spins, Esteban Gutierrez went fastest once again with a 02:28.968. Johnny Cecotto jr. and James Calado became the next set of drivers to make mistakes at turns 5 and 6, however both were luckily able to continue circulating on the track. The same, however, couldn’t be said for the Rapax of Daniël de Jong, who spun on the exit of turn 5 and embedded his car in the barriers, lightly damaging the front-right of his car.
Whilst de Jong extracted himself from his stricken car, the Lotus duo continued to battle amongst each other for the top spot on the timing sheets. Championship leader Luiz Razia ended their reign at the top shortly after, as the Brazilian driver stormed to the top with a 02:24.931. Davide Valsecchi then went momentarily fastest, before Razia once again asserted his authority over proceedings.
Johnny Cecotto jr. then stormed to the top of the timing sheets, before Swiss driver Fabio Leimer went faster still with a 02:22.580. With the rain subsiding and the track becoming less slippery, purple times began to appear on the timing screens as drivers began to get to grips with the tricky track conditions. However, the session was brought to a premature end when Johnny Cecotto jr. spun his Barwa Addax car into the wall at turn 10 after running wide onto the sodden astroturf which lined the track. Luckily Cecotto looked uninjured after his heavy shunt, although his car was well damaged at the rear.
This meant that Fabio Leimer ended the session fastest overall, ahead of the Ocean Racing Technology of Nigel Melker and the Barwa Addax of the unfortunate Johnny Cecotto jr. The GP2 cars will once again return to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit later this afternoon, as the aim to qualify for tomorrow’s main feature race.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
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