Davide Valsecchi Focused On Third Driver Role With Lotus
Reigning GP2 Champion Davide Valsecchi has explained how he is fully focused on his new third driver role within the Lotus F1 team, as the Italian ace aims to begin his career in the world of Formula 1. In 2012, Valsecchi stormed to GP2 Championship supremacy with four wins and ten podium finishes.
After several highly successful seasons in the GP2 feeder series, which included both a GP2 and a GP2 Asia Championship, Davide Valsecchi has secured himself the third driver role within Lotus. This new role for the 26-year-old will see him work alongside Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, along with both Jerome D’Ambrosio and Nicolas Prost who will carry out reserve and development driver duties. Davide Valsecchi is aiming to fully focus on his work with Lotus throughout the 2013 season, in the hope that he can progress to a full-time drive in later years.
“I hope that this is a really good start to a career in Formula 1.” Explained Davide Valsecchi, who has previously tested for both HRT and Caterham (formerly Lotus). “Every day I will do the very best job that I can to give Lotus F1 Team the same passion and commitment that I showed last year. My last year in GP2 in 2012 was something I really focussed on, and in the end I succeeded. Now in Formula 1 my target will be a little different, but my focus to do the very best is still the same. I very much hope, step by step, to get into Formula 1 as a race driver and being here as third driver is as near as you can get. It’s a great opportunity here; if I do the best job I can this year then it will open up my chances for the future and we’ll see if I’m good enough.”
Many were understandably expecting Davide Valsecchi to secure himself a full-time drive in Formula 1 for the new season, with the Italian driver linked to numerous teams after being crowned Champion at Singapore. However, Valsecchi could well benefit greatly from his time at Lotus, as he aims to build upon his career in the dog-eat-dog world of Formula 1.
Picture Copyright © Lotus F1 Team
Jerome D’Ambrosio Still Aiming For A Full-Time Race Seat
Jerome D’Ambrosio is remaining focused on securing himself a full-time race seat in the future, as he prepares to once again play a pivotal role within the Lotus F1 team as their reserve driver. The Belgian driver took part in the Italian Grand Prix last season during Romain Grosjean’s one-race ban, eventually finishing 13th overall.
After making his Formula 1 debut with Marussia back in 2011, when the outfit was then known as Virgin Racing, the 27-year-old was replaced for the 2012 season by Frenchman Charles Pic. This saw D’Ambrosio become the Lotus reserve driver, alongside a completely new driving line-up at the Enstone-based outfit with Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean.
The Belgian driver was an invaluable asset to the team throughout the course of the 2012 season, taking part in the Mugello test in May as well as standing in for the banned Romain Grosjean at the Italian Grand Prix. Although Jerome D’Ambrosio is fully committed to his work with the Enstone-based outfit, he is understandably eager to return to a full-time race seat in the near future, and he is hopeful that his time with Lotus will show future employers what he has to offer.
“I learned from last year that you need to be ready in order to step straight into a race seat, so my aim will be to keep focussed and be prepared!” Explained Jerome D’Ambrosio, when asked what his aims were for the season ahead. “Of course my ultimate aim is always to gain a race seat, however I know that by doing the best job I can here – and proving myself valuable to the team – I’m in a very good position should an opportunity arise.”
Jerome D’Ambrosio will be joined in his behind-the-scenes development and reserve driver duties at Lotus by reigning GP2 Champion Davide Valsecchi and Nicolas Prost in the forthcoming season, as the Enstone-based outfit aims for another competitive season at the top. The five drivers at the Enstone-based outfit share a combined total of one Formula 1 World Championship, two GP2 Championships, three GP2 Asia Championships, one Formula Master Championship and one Auto GP Championship between them. This alone shows just how strong the driver line-up is at Lotus.
Picture Copyright © Lotus F1 Team
Lotus Becomes First Team To Unveil 2013 Car
Lotus have become the first Formula 1 team to unveil their new 2013 car ahead of the new season, after the Enstone-based outfit took the covers off of their new E21 machine at their factory. The car will once again be driven by Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, and features several modifications in comparison to their 2012 car.
After a relatively competitive 2012 season for the Enstone-based outfit, which included numerous podium finishes for both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, including a sensational victory for the Finn at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lotus are understandably hopeful that their E21 machine can propel them to new heights this season.
The returning duo will be partnered by reigning GP2 Champion Davide Valsecchi, who becomes the team’s third driver after a successful 2012 season which culminated in GP2 Championship supremacy and a Young Driver Test outing with Lotus. The Enstone-based outfit have also retained both Jerome D’Ambrosio and Nicolas Prost, who will once again carry out reserve and development driver duties respectively in 2013.
“I think it is fair to say that great things are possible [in 2013].” Explained Lotus team principal, Eric Boullier. “The leap we made from 2011 to 2012 showed what we are capable of. Add to this the continuity and potential of our driver line-up and we have a very powerful cocktail for the season ahead. Our ambitious plan to turn ourselves into one of the top teams in Formula 1 is coming to fruition and now we need to harness this with strong and regular podium results.
“Enstone knows how to win Championships, but it is a while since we have won so we are very eager to taste glory again.” Continued Eric Boullier, “We have a fantastic facility at Enstone and one which has benefitted from significant and strategic investment over the past couple of years. We have a highly accomplished technical and design team who last year produced a fantastic car, the E20. The E21 builds on this. We have a superb driver line-up with the 2007 Champion, Kimi, and a hungry young gun in Romain. We have further strength in our partners and we are certainly primed and ready for action.”
Despite the teams’ being permitted to implement a modesty panel to hide the step-nose design at the front of the car, Lotus have elected against such a design and have retained the step-nose feature on their 2013 machine. Although the E21 may look similar to its E20 predecessor, several new features include the passive double-DRS device which the team developed throughout the latter half of last season as well as revised suspension layouts at both the front and the rear.
“Depending on where you look, some parts of the new car are a ground-up redesign and in other areas we have further optimized the best bits of the philosophy we’ve adopted for several seasons.” Explained the team’s technical director James Allison, when asked about the differences between the E20 and E21. “The front and rear suspension layouts are substantially revised to try and give us better aerodynamic opportunities. The front wing is a continuation of the concepts we have worked on since the 2009 rules were published. For the rear wing system, we’ve continued work on having a satisfactory level of rear downforce stability, whilst having a maximum DRS switching potential.”
Lotus were a prominent figure throughout the majority of the 2012 season, however for the 2013 season the Enstone-based outfit have intentions on battling with the likes of McLaren and Red Bull on a more regular basis at the sharp-end of the order. A minimum of 3rd place in the Constructors’ Championship is expected by the team’s owners, which would potentially see the team leapfrog either Red Bull, Ferrari or McLaren should their predictions for the forthcoming season come to fruition.
Picture(s) Copyright © Lotus F1 Team
Jolyon Palmer Switches To Carlin For 2013
Jolyon Palmer has joined Carlin for the 2013 GP2 Series season, and will team-mate rising Brazilian ace Felipe Nasr at the British outfit. Jolyon Palmer picked up his first GP2 victory throughout the 2012 season with iSport International, and is targeting the Championship crown next season.
After finishing as runner-up in the 2010 Formula Two season, Jolyon Palmer made the switch to GP2 with Arden International. Despite a rather mediocre debut season in the series, which saw the Briton finish no higher than 9th, Palmer was able to progress to a drive in 2012 with former Champions iSport International. This led to the 21-year-old’s maiden GP2 victory at Monaco, and has instilled confidence within Palmer that Championship glory is possible next season.
“I’m very happy to be racing for Carlin in 2013.” Explained Jolyon Palmer, “The team showed good pace this year in their second season in GP2 and they are hungry to build on that next year. My aim is to be fighting for the Championship and I’m confident we are in a position to do that.”
Jolyon Palmer’s team-mate for the 2013 season will be Brazilian driver Felipe Nasr, who impressed greatly during his first season with DAMS alongside eventual Champion Davide Valsecchi. Both drivers are aiming for the Championship crown in 2013, and Carlin’s Racing Director Trevor Carlin is hopeful of a competitive season.
“Jolyon is a very promising young British driver and we’re delighted to be able to welcome him into our GP2 team.” Enthused Trevor Carlin, “He put in some fantastic performances last season and I believe he will be a regular race winner and title contender next year. With Jolyon and Felipe we have an exceptionally talented team, and preparations are already underway for a strong start to the 2013 season.”
Both Jolyon Palmer and Felipe Nasr will have strong competition for Championship supremacy next season, with the likes of James Calado and Marcus Ericsson, amongst others, with their sights firmly set on the Championship crown. Whoever comes out on top next year, the 2013 season already has all of the ingredients to be yet another sensational chapter in the sport’s history.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Davide Valsecchi Shines On Final Day Of Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test
Newly-crowned GP2 Champion Davide Valsecchi has ended the Abu Dhabi Young Driver test fastest for Lotus, after setting an impressive 01:42.677 during the third and final day of track action. The Italian driver was followed home by the McLaren of Kevin Magnussen, with Sauber’s Esteban Gutierrez a close 3rd.
Although Kevin Magnussen was 2nd fastest throughout the day, the Dane took over from Briton Oliver Turvey after the morning session. Turvey ended the day 5th fastest overall, with the Red Bull of Robin Frijns between himself and Gutierrez in 4th. The Dutchman had previously driven for Sauber on the opening day, and took over driving duties in the RB8 from Antonio Felix da Costa for the third and final day.
GP2 runner-up Luiz Razia was back in action today for Toro Rosso, ending the day 6th fastest after completing 68 laps around the Yas Marina circuit. The Brazilian driver endued a tough return to track action with the Faenza-based outfit, suffering from fever as he strove to impress after a strong season in the GP2 feeder Series.
Bringing up the rear was American driver Alexander Rossi for Caterham, who also suffered a tough day in the office after suffering from an oil leak after his 14th run. This prevented the 21-year-old from completing any major running in the latter stages of the day, after taking over driving duties from the team’s reserve driver Giedo van der Garde.
This brings an end to the 2012 Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test, after a variation of drivers from GP2, GP3, World Series by Renault and DTM received valuable track action in Formula 1 machinery. The Formula 1 world now prepares to head to Austin in Texas for the United States Grand Prix around the brand-new Circuit of the Americas.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Davide Valsecchi Lotus-Renault 1m42.677s 86 2. Kevin Magnussen McLaren-Mercedes 1m42.827s + 0.150 51 3. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1m43.093s + 0.416 80 4. Robin Frijns Red Bull-Renault 1m43.233s + 0.556 53 5. Oliver Turvey McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.604s + 0.927 44 6. Luiz Razia Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m45.286s + 2.609 68 7. Alexander Rossi Caterham-Renault 1m46.485s + 3.808 86
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Force India’s Choices For 2013
With the majority of the front running teams’ driving line-ups confirmed for the 2013 season, the remaining midfield teams such as Force India remain unconfirmed as this highly entertaining season draws to a fine conclusion. The burning question amongst the paddock is who will be driving for Force India come 2013?
With reports linking Nico Hulkenberg to Sauber alongside Esteban Gutierrez next season floating around the motor sport fraternity lately, one has to assume that there is some truth behind these speculative reports. Although no driver has yet to be officially confirmed at Sauber for next season, it does seem highly probable that Nico Hulkenberg is on the move from Force India.
Earlier in the year, the German driver was linked to a possible move to Ferrari in place of Felipe Massa. Hulkenberg’s current Force India team-mate Paul di Resta was also linked to the second Ferrari driver alongside Fernando Alonso, however once Felipe Massa was confirmed for one more season following on from his vast improvement in form, reports linking the Silverstone-based duo to the outfit died instantaneously.
Since then, Hulkenberg has become the leading candidate to Sergio Perez’s vacancy at Sauber and di Resta has become linked to a further season with Force India, especially after Sergio Perez was chosen as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at McLaren. With the Briton likely to remain a Force India driver next season, speculation is now ripe within the Formula 1 paddock on who will eventually join the 26-year-old at the team.
Former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari is a possibility for Force India.
With an abundance of drivers striving to find their way into F1, a whole list of drivers have been hinted as possible candidates to drive for Force India next season. This list ranges from F1 returnees Adrian Sutil and Jaime Alguersuari, to rising stars of the future such as Luiz Razia, Jules Bianchi and Davide Valsecchi. Each driver is as likely to find a drive than the first, posing a tough choice for the management within Force India to make a decision on who to pick.
Naturally in modern day Formula 1, money can speak much louder than talent, as is evident at other teams within the paddock. This could see a driver with much more sponsorship money enter the team, rather than someone with pure talent and a knack of racing consistently quick. Former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari has been hinting at a possible return to the sport for several weeks now, and is unarguably a superlatively skilled driver who was rather unfortunate to say the least to be replaced at Toro Rosso at the end of last season.
However, Adrian Sutil’s name has also been flitted around the paddock lately, and seeing as the German driver raced for the Silverstone-based outfit since it’s inaugural season back in 2008 until last season makes him a rather enticing option for Force India. Regardless of signing a driver who has already enjoyed several seasons in Formula 1, a GP2 graduate could well be an even better route to take for the team, regarding the driver in question comes bearing gifts in the form of lucrative sponsorship deals.
Both Davide Valsecchi [left] and Luiz Razia [right] are also possibilities for Force India.
Either way, the management at Force India have a serious conundrum on their hands. They clearly have a car worthy of scoring points on a weekly basis, and a long list of candidates who are all equally able to score those points if given the opportunity. However, with many intricate differences between each driver, including the amount of money they can bring into the team, it could be an unlikely candidate who is eventually signed up for the 2013 season.
Picture(s) Copyright © Pirelli, Getty Images & Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Davide Valsecchi Hoping To Become Italy’s Next F1 Sensation
After clinching the GP2 Series Championship around the streets of Singapore, Davide Valsecchi is now aiming to continue his journey towards the upper echelons of motor sport. Naturally a GP2 Champion’s ambition is to become a Formula 1 driver, and Valsecchi would be the first from Italy since Jarno Trulli in 2011.
The 2012 GP2 Series season was yet another thrilling contest between the motor sport Champions of the future, as Davide Valsecchi fought a season-long battle with the Arden International of Luiz Razia. The duo also had to fend off the likes of Esteban Gutierrez, Max Chilton and James Calado, who also showed their potential throughout the 24 races which spanned Asia and Europe.
Davide Valsecchi was understandably thrilled to become the GP2 Champion, something which current F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean have also claimed on their road to the top of the most revered form of motor sport in the world. Davide Valsecchi, like many of his former competitors in GP2, has previous testing experience with F1 machinery, after testing for HRT and Lotus in recent years.
Man of the moment, Davide Valsecchi, celebrating with his DAMS mechanics.
“It’s unbelievable!” Exclaimed Davide Valsecchi, after clinching the Championship on Saturday in Singapore. “It’s a really good feeling, and I’m really, really happy, because this year we had a great season: I drove really well and our car was really competitive almost every time, so I’m really happy that at the end, when it was really important, we had the victory last time in Monza and we were one of the best this weekend too. When it was important, me and DAMS didn’t make any mistakes, and we showed this year with four victories, with ten podiums and with six fastest laps that we were the best!”
Davide Valsecchi’s Championship contender in the latter stages of the season was Luiz Razia, who challenged the 25-year-old Italian’s reign with superlative victories at Barcelona, Valencia and Silverstone. However, Valsecchi kept his cool in the closing stages of the season and was able to remain the dominant figure in GP2. However, Valsecchi had nothing but praise for his Championship rival, who has also tested F1 machinery in recent months.
Valsecchi’s Championship rival, Luiz Razia, lost out to the Italian by only 25 points.
“No one can become a hero if he doesn’t have a great contender, so I’m really happy to be the Champion, and I’m really happy to have a great contender in Razia, because to be honest he made our job really difficult!” Explained Davide Valsecchi, after beating Razia to the Championship by 25 points. “At one stage we wondered if we would be able to fight back at the top again, but in Budapest we took back the situation and were one of the quickest and I had a great weekend, although unfortunately so did Razia! But I just thought keep working like this and we’ll make the gap, and in Monza we did it, and I’m happy to put the last stone in it here in Singapore, at last!”
After a driver wins the GP2 Championship, he is not permitted to return to the Series in the future. This means Davide Valsecchi will need to move on after this season, either to Formula 1 or another category in the sport. Every GP2 Champion in the history of the sport [apart from Pantano in 2008] have gone on to become Formula 1 drivers the following season, with Romain Grosjean being the latest example of receiving ‘promotion’ from the lower categories. Valsecchi firmly believes he deserves an opportunity in F1, after a grueling season-long battle against Razia.
“I really hope to have the chance [to race in F1], because at the moment we are strong enough to use it, so I really hope I will have a chance, and that I can show that I deserve to be there, that I’m ready and I’m strong enough to be there.”
For a reigning GP2 Champion, Formula 1 has always been the next step up the ladder to greatness. With vacancies rumored to be opening up and down the paddock at teams such as Sauber, Force India and Caterham, Davide Valsecchi could well find himself on the grid come Melbourne next March. Regardless of where his career takes him, Valsecchi can now rejoice in becoming Italy’s next motor sport sensation after a terrific season in one of the most competitive forms of the sport.
Picture(s) Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Check out my interview with Davide Valsecchi, which was carried out prior to his Championship winning weekend in Singapore, here!
Giedo van der Garde Takes Final GP2 Sprint Race Win At Singapore
Giedo van der Garde has taken victory at the final GP2 sprint race of the season, after yet another sensational chapter of the 2012 GP2 Series season. The Dutchman was followed home by the iSport International of Marcus Ericsson, with Fabio Leimer just fending off Luiz Razia for 3rd.
After his heavy incident yesterday, the Coloni of Luca Filippi failed to start the final race of the season. This meant only 25 cars lined up on the grid at the start, which was led away at the front by the dominant Caterham of Giedo van der Garde. The DAMS of Felipe Nasr endured a torrid getaway from the grid, dropping through the order as van der Garde led from Ericsson.
After the opening lap of the race, the Venezuela GP Lazarus of Sergio Canamasas was under investigation from the race stewards after one of his mechanics remained on the grid prior to the start of the race. Whilst Canamasas’ race slowly deteriorated, Nathaniel Berthon was forced to pit with a damaged front wing after a frenetic opening lap around the Marina Bay street circuit.
Jolyon Palmer became the first retirement of the race, after the Briton was pitched into the wall by the Barwa Addax of Johnny Cecotto jr. The Venezuelan driver was subsequently issued a drive-thru penalty for the incident, as was Sergio Canamasas due to his mechanic remaining on the grid after the specified time prior to the race.
However, as Johnny Cecotto jr. pitted for his drive-thru penalty, Sergio Canamasas raised many eyebrows throughout the paddock and failed to adhere to the rules. The race steadily worsened for the Venezuela GP Lazarus outfit, as their second driver Rene Binder binned it through the final corner and spun. Due to the precarious location of the stricken machine, the safety car was deployed as the marshals retrieved Binder’s car.
Whilst the field lapped the track behind the safety car, the race stewards decided the black flag Sergio Canamasas for not pitting for his drive-thru penalty. However, the Spaniard controversially remained out on track, as the marshals and his team mechanics frantically tried to contact Canamasas to inform him of the steward’s decision. Eventually, once the race had returned to green flag racing, Canamasas slowly limped back to the pits with what he blamed was an issue on his car, as well as a radio failure which prevented him from acknowledging the black flag.
As the controversy ensued in the pits, Giedo van der Garde carried out a masterful drive in the lead to take his fifth career victory in GP2, and his second of the season. A superb battle ensued further back for the final podium position and the Constructors’ Championship, as Fabio Leimer fought for 3rd with Luiz Razia and Esteban Gutierrez battled with the DAMS duo for the Constructors’ Championship. Eventually Leimer was able to clinch 3rd place, whereas DAMS were able to secure their first ever GP2 Series Constructors’ Championship.
This race brought the 2012 GP2 Series to a fine conclusion, which has seen Davide Valsecchi and DAMS crowned Drivers’ and Constructors’ Champions respectively. Esteban Gutierrez and Lotus were able to finish 3rd in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships respectively, with Luiz Razia the runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Chilton Wins Singapore Feature Race As Valsecchi Becomes GP2 Champion
Max Chilton has taken victory at the inaugural GP2 feature race around the streets of Singapore, whereas Davide Valsecchi has been crowned the 2012 GP2 Series Champion after finishing 4th ahead of Championship rival Luiz Razia. The race ended under safety car conditions, after heavy incident for Luca Filippi.
Poleman Luca Filippi suffered a torrid start for Coloni, dropping way down the order as Max Chilton stormed into the lead for Carlin with Esteban Gutierrez a close 2nd. Total carnage ensued further back in the opening lap, as Riccardo Teixeira and Rodolfo Gonzalez collided, Rene Binder spun and Victor Guerin ran straight on at turn 5 and slammed into the barriers. These chain of events brought out the safety car, as Gonzalez and Teixeira pitted due to their sustained damage.
The safety car period lasted for only several laps before green flag racing was resumed, with Max Chilton leading from the Lotus of Gutierrez. As the incident between Gonzalez and Teixeira came under investigation from the stewards, Simon Trummer slammed into the barriers at turn 18 and out of the race, however the highly efficient marshals were able to clear the stricken Arden International car without the need for another safety car period.
As the race continued, many drivers began peeling off into the pits to make their mandatory pit stop. Some drivers, the Championship contenders of Valsecchi and Razia included, started the race on the softer tyre compound and therefore were amongst the first to pit on laps 7 and 8. The leading duo of Chilton and Gutierrez eventually pitted a lap later, thus handing the lead down to the iSport International of Marcus Ericsson.
Johnny Cecotto jr. became the next retirement of the race, as the Venezuelan driver became the latest victim of the vicious “Singapore Sling” corner at turn 10. Cecotto jr. bounced precariously over the kerbing, eventually coming to rest off-track and out of the race. Marcus Ericsson pitted from the lead on lap 11, as Nigel Melker assumed the lead. Once Melker pitted, Fabio Onidi took the lead for Coloni and Sergio Canamasas came under investigation from the stewards for exceeding track limits at turn 10. The Spaniard was eventually issued a drive-thru penalty for his misdemeanors, as Jolyon Palmer became the latest retirement.
The ill James Calado eventually retired from the race on lap 24, after starting the race from a lowly 15th for Lotus. Fabio Onidi collided with Jake Rosenzweig as the race neared its conclusion, before the second Coloni of Luca Filippi slammed heavily into the barriers on the exit of the final corner. This once again brought out the safety car, as the race eventually came to an end under safety car conditions. A replay showed Luca Filippi tapping the barrier at turn 18, which supposedly damaged his front wing and was the catalyst for his heavy incident.
After securing the reserve driver role at the Marussia F1 Team, Max Chilton took a superlative and dominating victory as the checkered flag fell. The Briton was followed home by Esteban Gutierrez in 2nd and Fabio Leimer in 3rd. Davide Valsecchi finished 4th, clinching the Drivers’ Championship over the Arden International of Luiz Razia.
Tomorrow’s final sprint race will see the Caterham of Giedo van der Garde take the reverse grid pole, as the Constructors’ Championship between DAMS and Lotus comes to a thrilling conclusion around the Marina Bay street circuit.
Picture Copyright © Glenn Dunbar/GP2 Series Media Service
Luca Filippi Storms To GP2 Pole At Singapore
Luca Filippi has secured pole position for tomorrow’s final GP2 feature race of the season around the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore, ahead of the Carlin of Max Chilton. Esteban Gutierrez will start tomorrow’s race from 3rd, whereas Championship contenders Valsecchi and Razia will start from 6th and 9th respectively.
In stark contrast to the conditions during practice earlier in the day, the GP2 qualifying session was run in dry conditions and under the floodlights for the first time in the history of the Series. James Calado once again led the field out as the session got underway, and also set the initial pace with a slow 02:10.475. This time was immediately thwarted by Fabio Onidi, before Calado once again returned to the top with a much quicker lap.
Felipe Nasr then went fastest, with a 02:01.378. The Brazilian is one of only two drivers on the grid who has previous experience of the tricky Marina Bay street circuit. Esteban Gutierrez then stormed to the top as the session progressed, whereas Simon Trummer ran wide at turn 9 and splashed through a puddle in the run-off area.
Championship leader Davide Valsecchi then flew to the top of the timing sheets with a 02:00.287, as his fellow Championship rival of Luiz Razia slotted into 2nd position. Many eyebrows were then raised throughout the GP2 paddock as Jolyon Palmer went fastest on the harder tyre with a 02:00.102. Regardless of Palmer’s pace on the harder of the two tyre compounds, the majority of the pack returned to the track still running the softer tyre compound.
Max Chilton, was was yesterday confirmed as the Marussia F1 reserve driver for the remainder of the season, then went fastest with a 01:59.496. The Briton’s reign at the top was quickly brought to an end by the Coloni of Luca Filippi, who stormed to provisional pole with a 01:59.444. Filippi’s reign at the top was cemented in the closing minutes of the session when the Ocean Racing Technology of Nigel Melker slammed into the wall at turn 18. This immediately brought out the red flag, prematurely ending the qualifying session.
With roughly only one minute of the session remaining, the session was not resumed, thus securing Luca Filippi pole position in only his second race of the season. Championship contenders Davide Valsecchi and Luiz Razia could only manage 6th and 9th respectively, with the Italian driver able to clinch the Championship tomorrow morning regarding he has a competitive race.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Luca Filippi Coloni 1m59.444s 2. Max Chilton Carlin 1m59.496s + 0.052s 3. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus 1m59.908s + 0.464s 4. Jolyon Palmer iSport 2m00.102s + 0.658s 5. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering 2m00.113s + 0.669s 6. Davide Valsecchi DAMS 2m00.287s + 0.843s 7. Johnny Cecotto Jr Addax 2m00.335s + 0.891s 8. Stefano Coletti Rapax 2m00.364s + 0.920s 9. Luiz Razia Arden 2m00.365s + 0.921s 10. Sergio Canamasas Lazarus 2m00.634s + 1.190s 11. Stephane Richelmi Trident 2m00.671s + 1.227s 12. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering 2m00.695s + 1.251s 13. Felipe Nasr DAMS 2m00.720s + 1.276s 14. Giedo van der Garde Caterham 2m00.906s + 1.462s 15. James Calado Lotus 2m00.954s + 1.510s 16. Rio Haryanto Carlin 2m01.031s + 1.587s 17. Marcus Ericsson iSport 2m01.204s + 1.760s 18. Nigel Melker Ocean 2m01.308s + 1.864s 19. Julian Leal Trident 2m01.474s + 2.030s 20. Fabio Onidi Coloni 2m01.656s + 2.212s 21. Simon Trummer Arden 2m01.961s + 2.517s 22. Victor Guerin Ocean 2m02.110s + 2.666s 23. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham 2m02.260s + 2.816s 24. Rene Binder Lazarus 2m02.376s + 2.932s 25. Jake Rosenzweig Addax 2m03.218s + 3.774s 26. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax 2m04.174s + 4.730s
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
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