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
Marcus Ericsson Takes Victory In Delayed GP2 Feature Race
Marcus Ericsson has taken victory during a delayed GP2 feature race around the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, after a nasty incident involving Nigel Melker delayed the race for a lengthy period of time on the second lap. Eventual winner Ericsson was followed home by James Calado in 2nd and Davide Valsecchi in 3rd.
The race started cleanly enough, with the entire field safely negotiating the first chicane. However, as the cars climbed up the daunting Eau Rouge section, Rodolfo Gonzalez became the first retirement as he embedded his Caterham into the tyre barriers after spinning off. Further up the order and Rio Haryanto still led at the front, as Fabio Leimer was tipped into a spin through turns 5 and 6, with the Swiss driver eventually retiring.
Marcus Ericsson enjoyed a superb start, rising to 2nd on the opening lap as the Lotus duo of Esteban Gutierrez and James Calado battle amongst themselves. However, the Lotus of Gutierrez ruined his race on lap 2, as the Mexican driver passed his team-mate through Eau Rouge under yellow flag conditions, incurring a drive-thru penalty much later in the race once it had restarted. Marcus Ericsson’s superlative race continued into the second lap, as the Swedish driver took the lead from the Indonesian sensation of Rio Haryanto.
However, proceedings at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit were halted on the second lap, as the Ocean Racing Technology driver of Nigel Melker lost his car at the top of Eau Rouge and slammed heavily into the barriers. The race was immediately put under safety car conditions, as the marshals and medical staff descended on Melker. Whilst the Dutchman received medical attention due to his horrific incident, the majority of the pack carried out their mandatory pit stops under the safety car conditions.
The race was then red flagged on lap 7, as the field lined up behind the safety car on the grid as Nigel Melker was extracted from his car and taken to the medical centre in an ambulance. Giedo van der Garde led the field after the pit stops, with the Caterham driver deciding against pitting with the rest of the field. The restart was just about get underway after the lengthy repair works were carried out to the tyre barriers, when proceedings were once again brought to an immediate halt even before the safety car and cars reached turn 1. This was due to the medical helicopter having not returned from taking Nigel Melker to a nearby hospital, and so another lengthy delay ensued as the GP2 fraternity patiently waited for the helicopter to return.
After an extremely lengthy delay, the race was restarted initially behind the safety car, before returning to green flag racing after one lap. van der Garde led the field at the front, as numerous drive-thru penalties were dished out for wrongdoings under the red flag conditions. This included penalties for Johnny Cecotto jr. for initially jumping the original start, and Esteban Gutierrez for passing under yellow flag conditions.
Another huge incident was almost caused on the run down to Eau Rouge, when Sergio Canamasas pushed Nathaniel Berthon into the wall, with the two only just touching as Berthon suffered front wing damage. This ultimately led to Canamasas retiring in the pits, as Berthon continue to circulate albeit further down the order after pitting.
The race ran relatively incident free for the remaining laps, with only Jolyon Palmer, Victory Guerin and Stefano Coletti retiring in numerous minor incidents throughout the closing stages of the race. With the leading trio of Giedo van der Garde, Stephane Richelmi and Simon Trummer pitting in the closing stages of the race, this promoted Marcus Ericsson back into the lead during the closing few laps, as the Swedish driver stormed to his second career victory in GP2. Felipe Nasr clinched the reverse grid pole on the last lap, which will see the DAMS driver start from pole for tomorrow’s sprint race.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Max Chilton Clinches Maiden GP2 Victory In Nail-Biting Feature Race
British driver Max Chilton has narrowly clinched his maiden GP2 victory after a tremendously nail-biting conclusion to the feature race around the Hungaroring. Championship contender Davide Valsecchi finished only six tenths behind the Briton in 2nd, with Championship leader Luiz Razia 3rd for Arden International.
At the start, Max Chilton stormed into the lead ahead of the usual melee of cars. Miraculously, no major incidents occurred as the GP2 field negotiated the exceedingly tight and tricky Hungaroring circuit. However, once the opening lap had been completed, Rodolfo Gonzalez and Rio Haryanto came together through turn 1. Luckily both were able to continue, albeit with Gonzalez suffering a puncture.
Sergio Canamasas was issued a drive-through penalty, as the Spaniard exceeded the track limits on the opening lap whilst negotiating turns 6 and 7. The Venezuela GP Lazarus driver served his penalty immediately, and resumed racing towards the back of the pack.
Johnny Cecotto jr. became the first retirement of the race, as the Venezuelan driver went straight on at turn 1 and embedded his car in the tyre barrier. With a plume of smoke billowing from behind him, it looked as though the previous GP2 race winner frantically tried to slow the car down before impact.
Luckily the safety car was not called upon, as the race continued uninterrupted. By lap 8, Josef Kral became one of the first drivers to make a scheduled pit-stop, switching from the super-soft compound the medium compound. Whilst all this was going on, Rodolfo Gonzalez’s weekend got worse as the Venezuelan driver was issued a drive-through penalty for causing the collision with Haryanto.
As the race progressed, drivers further up the order began to make their scheduled pit-stops. Felipe Nasr endured a frustratingly slow stop, as the Brazilian mistakingly spun his wheels whilst stationary, thus disallowing his mechanics the opportunity to change his tyres quicker. Eventually, on lap 13, the leading duo of Max Chilton and Davide Valsecchi pitted together as Esteban Gutierrez assumed the lead. Chilton and Valsecchi resumed racing in the same order as before, with Chilton slightly ahead of the charging Italian.
Esteban Gutierrez then led for several laps, with Stefano Coletti close behind. Eventually the pair pitted on lap 22, with the Gutierrez loosing at lot places in the process. The Mexican driver resumed the race in 12th place, and began a surge through the field with the aim of finishing at least 8th and reverse grid pole for tomorrow.
Simon Trummer then assumed the lead, with the Swiss driver also yet to stop. Whilst the Arden International driver led out front, Championship rivals Davide Valsecchi and Luiz Razia raced side-by-side as they battled for 4th place. Miraculously they both managed to avoid a collision, as the DAMS of Valsecchi retained position.
Once Julian Leal and Simon Trummer had pitted, Max Chilton once again took the lead ahead of Valsecchi and Razia. As the Italian driver gradually reeled in leader Chilton, Victor Guerin and Sergio Canamasas spun through turn 12 in separate incidents. Both were able resume racing, with other drivers picking their way through the melee.
Felipe Nasr became the next retirement, suffering a similar fate to Johnny Cecotto jr. The Brazilian driver ran straight on at turn 1, however unlike Cecotto the DAMS driver was able to avoid contact with the barriers. Josef Kral also retired from the race, with what looked like a mechanical issue on the car. The Czech driver slowed through turn 3, and was nearly collected by the charging pack of cars close behind.
As the race came to an enthralling conclusion, Davide Valsecchi was unable to overtake Chilton for the victory. This enabled the 21-year-old Briton to cross the line to take his maiden GP2 victory, only six tenths ahead of Davide Valsecchi. Esteban Gutierrez finished 8th, and will therefore start tomorrow’s sprint race from pole thanks to the reverse grid rule.
Results - 37 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Max Chilton Carlin 59m02.965s
2. Davide Valsecchi DAMS + 0.628s
3. Luiz Razia Arden + 1.538s
4. James Calado Lotus + 4.090s
5. Giedo van der Garde Caterham + 8.070s
6. Jolyon Palmer iSport + 10.805s
7. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering + 16.236s
8. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus + 16.826s
9. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering + 17.794s
10. Stefano Coletti Coloni + 19.176s
11. Fabio Onidi Coloni + 28.116s
12. Rio Haryanto Carlin + 34.742s
13. Simon Trummer Arden + 35.069s
14. Nigel Melker Ocean + 35.458s
15. Daniel de Jong Rapax + 37.861s
16. Julian Leal Trident + 44.080s
17. Stephane Richelmi Trident + 44.267s
18. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax + 59.576s
19. Marcus Ericsson iSport + 1m04.364s
20. Giancarlo Serenelli Lazarus + 1m44.003s
21. Victor Guerin Ocean + 1 lap
22. Sergio Canamasas Lazarus + 1 lap
23. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham + 1 lap
Retirements:
Johnny Cecotto Jr Addax 34 laps
Josef Kral Addax 33 laps
Felipe Nasr DAMS 4 laps
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP2 Series Media Service
Johnny Cecotto jr. Storms To Victory In Frenetic GP2 Feature Race
Venezuela’s rising star Johnny Cecotto jr. has stormed to his second GP2 race victory of the 2012 season, after a cunning strategy was played out by the Barwa Addax driver. Whereas the rest of the field opted for wet tyres at the start, Cecotto opted for the dry tyres which enabled him to surge through the field as the track dried out.
The start was surprisingly clean and relatively incident free, with only Tom Dillmann spinning through turn 3. At front of the field, Dutchman Nigel Melker took the lead away from pole man and fellow countryman Giedo van der Garde, with Fabio Leimer following the Ocean Racing Technology driver through into 2nd.
With the track quickly drying out, the drivers who had started on the wet tyres began to struggle for grip as their wet tyres began to overheat. Only four laps into the race, and Nigel Melker’s lead was snatched away from him by the Racing Engineering of Fabio Leimer. The Caterham of Giedo van der Garden also sneaked around his fellow countryman, as Melker dropped from 1st to 3rd in a matter of minutes.
By lap 5, the track was clearly ready for dry tyres. Both Johnny Cecotto jr. and Stephane Richelmi were scything through the field like hots knives through butter, with Cecotto making up numerous positions through the stadium section of the circuit as others squirmed around on the track fighting for grip.
Whereas Cecotto and Richelmi crossed the line to assume the first two positions, the majority of the field elected to pit. This caused chaos within the pits, as the mechanics earned their pay with many teams carrying out two pit stops back-to-back for each of their drivers. Fabio Onidi came unstuck during this period, as the Italian driver was issued a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pits.
Ricardo Teixeira was issued the black flag and subsequently disqualified from the race when he failed to take his drive-through penalty. The Portuguese-Angolan driver was initially issued a drive-through penalty for ignoring blue flags, but after the Rapax driver failed to take his penalty within three laps, the driver was disqualified.
Davide Valsecchi’s race was one for the Italian driver to forget, as he firstly made light contact with the rear of Stefano Coletti, thus damaging the front of his car, before proceeding to run off the track on several occasions. After an exceedingly dominant start to the season for Valsecchi, such an uncompetitive result will be frustrating for the DAMS driver.
On lap 23, Stephane Richelmi finally made his one and only pitstop. The Trident Racing driver initially lost several positions thanks to his stop, but he was able to battle back through the pack to eventually finish 3rd. Luckily for Cecotto, the Venezuelan driver was able to complete his one and only stop on lap 24 without loosing the lead. After fending off a surging Fabio Leimer, Cecotto proceeded to scamper away from the Swiss driver.
Victor Guerin beached his Ocean Racing Technology car in the gravel at turn 12, after spinning off. Apart from Teixeira’s disqualification, this was the only retirement from the race. As Johnny Cecotto jr. crossed the line to take a memorable victory ahed of Leimer and Richelmi, the usual made dash throughout the closing stages ensued further back.
Expect further spills and thrills during tomorrow morning’s sprint race, as the top 8 from today’s race gets reversed.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP2 Series Media Service
Conor Daly To Complete Second Aero Test
Current GP3 driver Conor Daly will once again complete an aero test for the Sahara Force India Formula 1 team, when the American driver gets behind the wheel of the VJM05 at Duxford Airfield on Thursday. Daly made his F1 testing debut last month, in a similar aero test for Force India.
This test will come only weeks after Marussia test driver Maria de Villota suffered a horrendous incident during a similar aero test also at Duxford Airfield. The Spanish driver collided with the teams support truck, and subsequently lost the use of her right eye after suffering serious facial and head injuries. The 20-year-old American will complete specific data aero mapping work, as Force India strive to improve after a relatively disappointing British Grand Prix.
“Formula 1 cars are very complex, just learning how to operate the steering wheel takes time,” explained Conor Daly. “These tests help me understand what it takes to drive an F1 car and of course the biggest contribution I want to make is to the team’s ongoing improvement over the season. It’s amazing how much work we get through in a day as I spend most of the time in the car.”
Conor Daly has enjoyed a relatively competitive season in GP3 so far, taking the sprint race victory at the season opener around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. The American driver also finished 2nd last time out at Silverstone during the sprint race, and currently sits 6th in the Drivers’ Championship with 45 points.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
Antonio Felix da Costa Dominates GP3 Race 1
Antonio Felix da Costa has stormed to his second ever GP3 victory, after dominating the first GP3 race of the weekend. The Portuguese driver led Championship leader Mitch Evans home, with Finnish driver Aaro Vainio a competitive 3rd in an amazingly dry race around Silverstone.
The Carlin driver stormed into the lead on the opening lap, passing the MW Arden of Mitch Evans. Da Costa had initially started 2nd, but blatantly had no intentiosns of staying there throughout the race. Further down the order, the usual melee of racing ensued with drivers tiptoeing around the track which was still treacherously damp in places. Dmitry Suranovich discovered this towards the end of the opening lap, as the Russian driver spun on the exit of turn 17. The Marussia Manor Racing driver luckily managed to continue racing, after keeping his engine running.
Antonio Felix da Costa continued to improve as the race continued, opening up a considerable gap to Evans. Ethan Ringel became the next retirement of the race, when the American driver pulled off the track at turn 15 with his car almost catching fire towards the rear.
Conor Daly enjoyed a successful race, climbing up through the field from 15th on the grid due to a 10-place grid penalty issued to him after qualifying earlier this morning. The Lotus driver managed to finish a competitive 5th, which could’ve been higher had he not endured the penalty.
As the race came to a close, Antonio Felix da Costa breezed across the line to take his first victory of the 2012 season. Ocean Racing Technology’s Kevin Ceccon will start tomorrow morning’s second race in pole, as the Italian driver reaps the rewards of the reverse grid pole.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
Rio Haryanto Receives Grid Drop For Silverstone
Indonesian driver Rio Haryanto has been issued a five place grid drop for the feature race at Silverstone, after causing a collision with race leader James Calado during the sprint race at Valencia last weekend. The two were fighting for the lead, when Haryanto lunged up the inside of Calado resulting in the Carlin driver retiring from the race.
The GP3 graduate has yet to win a race in 2012, and finished a career best 5th during the feature race at Valencia. After the race, the stewards decided that Haryanto had caused the collision with Calado, and thus handed the Indonesian star a five place grid drop for the feature race at Silverstone.
James Calado suffered a frustrating weekend at Valencia, as the Briton was robbed of victory in both the feature and sprint races throughout the weekend. The Lotus driver will be hoping for a more successful weekend at Silverstone, as he attempts to take his second victory of the season.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Esteban Gutierrez Wins Incident Filled GP2 Feature Race
Esteban Gutierrez has taken his first GP2 victory of the 2012 Season in a highly entertaining and incident filled feature race around the Valencia Street Circuit, which included a huge incident for Fabrizio Crestani who was tipped into a barrel-roll by Jolyon Palmer on lap 17. Marcus Ericsson came home 2nd, with Luiz Razia 3rd for Arden.
At the start pole-man James Calado stormed into the lead, whilst behind him carnage ensued when Jolyon Palmer spun and collected fellow countryman Max Chilton. Luckily for them both, they were able to continue albeit with slight damage to Palmer’s car. By the end of the first lap Calado was way out in front, whilst Palmer pitted for a new front wing. Nigel Melker became the first retirement of the race, when the Dutchman drove straight on at turn 12 and tapped the barriers.
By lap 7, the first pit stops were being made as Championship leader Davide Valsecchi was one of the first drivers to pit. Victor Guerin stalled in the pits, as Felipe Nasr, Tom Dillmann and Max Chilton all peeled into the pits a lap later. Action and excitement was in abundance on track, as Gutierrez tapped Giedo van der Garde offline, a move which greatly benefited Fabio Leimer who streamed past the duo.
By lap 11, the majority of the field had completed their compulsory pit-stops, when Tom Dillmann’s visibly askew rear-wing departed company with his Rapax car. This left the wing lying on the track, but not for too long as Rodolfo Gonzalez smashed through the wing leaving debris strewn across the track. This incident brought out the safety car, ruining James Calado’s race as the Brit had yet to pit.
After four laps under the safety car, the race returned to green flag conditions as James Calado continued to lead out on track. However, the race was quickly back under safety car control once again as Crestani was tipped into a frightening barrel-roll by Palmer, as Nasr slowed on the bridge section of the track causing a concertina-effect on track.
Felipe Nasr subsequently retired as the safety car returned to the track, however leader Calado remained out on track refusing to make his compulsory pit-stop. Once the track had been cleared of the stricken Venezuela GP Lazarus car, the race was resumed as a melee ensued as a gaggle of cars jostled for position into the final corner. Razia was able to sneak up to 2nd place, as Calado continued to lead at the front. However, Razia quickly lost several positions as Gutierrez then Ericsson found a way around the Brazilian.
The safety car was called upon yet again only moments later, when Gonzalez tipped the remaining Venezuela GP Lazarus driver of Giancarlo Serenelli into a spin and subsequent retirement. However, the safety car mistakingly picked up the wrong part of the pack, thus enabling Calado to make a lightning-quick pit stop and resume in 11th position. Eventually the safety car found the leaders, and after only three laps under safety car conditions, the race was once again resumed with a 10-minute time limit now in force.
The race ran relatively incident free for the remainder of laps, as Gutierrez shrugged off Ericsson’s pressure and took his first GP2 race victory since the sprint race at Valencia last year. Swedish ace Ericsson came home 2nd, ahead of Razia in a very important 3rd place. With Johnny Cecotto jr. enduring a penalty, Championship leader Davide Valsecchi will assume the reverse grid pole for tomorrows sprint race which has all the ingredients to be yet another scintillating race.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Johnny Cecotto jr. Takes Victory In GP2 Feature Race Around Monaco
Johnny Cecotto jr. has taken his maiden GP2 victory around the streets of Monte-Carlo, after a dominating lights to flag drive in his Barwa Addax car. Marcus Ericsson came home 2nd, after a race long battle with Cecotto for the win. Giedo van der Garde finished 3rd roughly four seconds off the leading pair.
At the start, there was a melee of cars jostling for position through turn 1, with various pieces of bodywork flying around. Marcus Ericsson got the jump on Max Chilton, who dropped from 2nd to 4th on the opening lap. Josef Kral became the first retirement after only three laps, as Felipe Nasr and Julian Leal were issued drive-through penalties for jumping the start. A further penalty was issued to Rio Haryanto, after the Indonesian driver exceeded track limits at turn 1 on lap 1.
Johnny Cecotto’s lead at the front began to ebb and flow as Marcus Ericsson gradually begun to reel in the Venezuelan driver. Fabrizio Crestani was issued a drive-through penalty for ignoring blue flags, as he and his team-mate, Giancarlo Serenelli, once again failed adhere to the blue flags.
On lap 21, the first of the front runners made their mandatory pit-stops, as Max Chilton and Esteban Gutierrez came in. A lap later Marcus Ericsson made his stop, before the race leader Cecotto did so on lap 22, thus handing the lead down to Championship leader Davide Valsecchi. However, his lead was short-lived as the Italian driver pitted a lap later, which returned Cecotto to the lead with Ericsson close behind.
Fabio Onidi became the second retirement of the race, as the Scuderia Coloni driver ground to a halt on track with what looked like a mechanical issue. The Monaco mechanics completed a superlative job of clearing the car, without the need for the safety car. Nigel Melker also retired several laps later, after making contact with the wall through the tunnel and damaging his left rear wheel.
Esteban Gutierrez’s frustrating weekend continued, as the Mexican tried to lap a car and made slight contact with the barrier though the Nouvelle chicane. This forced the Lotus driver to pit once again for a new nose, loosing vital positions in the process.
In typical Monaco style, Marcus Ericsson was frustratingly close to Cecotto, but was unable to find his way around the Venezuelan. This left Johnny Cecotto jr. to take his first ever GP2 victory, only weeks after his fellow countryman Pastor Maldonado did so in Formula 1 at Spain. Local star Stephane Richelmi finished 8th and will therefore start tomorrow’s sprint race from pole in traditional GP2 fashion.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Media Service
Aaro Vainio Secures GP3 Pole At Monaco
The Lotus of Aaro Vainio has secured his maiden GP3 pole position, after a fantastic string of laps throughout the split qualifying session, whereby two groups of 13 cars took to the track in exactly the same fashion as the GP2 qualifying session yesterday. The fastest driver from Group A, Kevin Ceccon, will line up 2nd on the 26 car grid.
The first group consisted of even numbered cars, and the initial pace was set by Championship leader Mitch Evans early on. Kevin Ceccon then went fastest, as Evans’ team-mate Matias Laine ran out of road at La Rascasse and prematurely ended his qualifying session. As ever at Monaco, the marshals made a splendid job on retrieving Laine’s car, and the session continued without delay.
Throughout the remainder of the opening session, Evans and Ceccon swapped fastest laps at the top, before the Italian driver finally set a 01:28.922 which remained unbeaten and left Ceccon in provisional pole-position. The opening session ended under yellow flag conditions, as Series rookie Fabiano Machado hit the wall after running wide through turn 10’s Nouvelle Chicane.
The second group consisted of the odd numbered cars, including Antonio Felix da Costa and Aaro Vainio. The Portuguese driver set the initial pace in the session, before the Lotus of Vainio went top with a 01:29.739. This time was still not fast enough to secure pole, but Vainio continued to improve throughout the session with some mesmerizingly quick times and finally set a 01:28.650. This was enough to secure pole for the Finn, however he improved yet again with a 01:28.008 to fully cement his Lotus on pole-position for the feature race.
With no Formula 1 action taking place today on the streets of Monte-Carlo, both GP2 and GP3 feature races’ will be run throughout the morning.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Media Service
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