Qatar night race for Asia Series

GP2 bosses have announced that a Qatar night race will replace the second scheduled round at Dubai in this winter's GP2 Asia Series.

The fourth round of the championship was due to take place in Dubai on February 25-26, but has been brought forward to Feb 6-7 and switched to the Losail circuit.

The event will be GP2's first night race, following the lead of Formula One's race under lights in Singapore in September.

GP2 boss Bruno Michel is delighted to be bringing the night racing concept into GP2.

"I am very pleased to report that we will be having a night race weekend in Qatar," he said. "It is a very exciting new challenge and one that GP2 is happy to take up.

"The grand prix in Singapore proved to be a success, generating tremendous interest among both media and fans all over the world. We are confident that the GP2 Asia Series will offer the same kind of dramatic action in Qatar in true GP2 style."

Kobayashi tipped for GP2 Asia title

Big goal for Chivas? Second round

Bamber joins Meritus for GP2 Asia

Van der Garde joins iSport

GP2 confirms entries and calendar

The GP2 Series has confirmed its calendar and teams entered for the 2009 season.

The only change to the 13 teams is Tiago Monteiro's Ocean Racing outfit taking over the BCN entry.

The season will begin at the first European Formula One round of the year at Catalunya in May. That will be the first of nine rounds in support of F1 in Europe before the season finale at the new Algarve circuit in Portimao, Portugal in September.

No. Team Nation 1&2 Barwa International Campos Team Spain 3&4 iSport International UK 5&6 Piquet GP Brazil 7&8 Racing Engineering Spain 9&10 ART Grand Prix France 11&12 Arden International Netherlands 14&15 Super Nova Racing UK 16&17 DAMS France 18&19 Trident Racing Italy 20&21 Fisichella Motor Sport Italy 22&23 Durango Italy 24&25 Ocean Racing Technology Portugal 26&27 DPR UK 2009 GP2 Series calendar May 9-10 Barcelona, Spain May 22-23 Monte-Carlo, Monaco June 6-7 Istanbul, Turkey June 20-21 Silverstone, UK July 11-12 Nurburgring, Germany July 25-26 Budapest, Hungary August 22-23 Valencia, Spain August 29-30 Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium September 12-13 Monza, Italy September 19-20 Portimao, Portugal

Nowak makes final roster selections

TFC, LA both missing key pieces

The GP2 Series has confirmed its calendar and teams entered for the 2009 season.

The only change to the 13 teams is Tiago Monteiro's Ocean Racing outfit taking over the BCN entry.

The season will begin at the first European Formula One round of the year at Catalunya in May. That will be the first of nine rounds in support of F1 in Europe before the season finale at the new Algarve circuit in Portimao, Portugal in September.

No Team Nation 1&2 Barwa International Campos Team Spain 3&4 iSport International UK 5&6 Piquet GP Brazil 7&8 Racing Engineering Spain 9&10 ART Grand Prix France 11&12 Arden International Netherlands 14&15 Super Nova Racing UK 16&17 DAMS France 18&19 Trident Racing Italy 20&21 Fisichella Motor Sport Italy 22&23 Durango Italy 24&25 Ocean Racing Technology Portugal 26&27 DPR UK 2009 GP2 Series calendar May 9-10 Barcelona, Spain May 22-23 Monte-Carlo, Monaco June 6-7 Istanbul, Turkey June 20-21 Silverstone, UK July 11-12 Nurburgring, Germany July 25-26 Budapest, Hungary August 22-23 Valencia, Spain August 29-30 Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium September 12-13 Monza, Italy September 19-20 Portimao, Portugal

GP2 confirms entries and calendar

Buurman fills Monteiro’s first seat

Nowak makes final roster selections

Ocean sign Crestani as second driver

Floods force cancellation of Dubai race

Today's GP2 Asia and Speedcar events at the Dubai Autodrome have been cancelled due to flooding.

The event started on Thursday with the first races held yesterday, but heavy overnight rain has overwhelmed the circuit and the surrounding road network this morning.

With several parts of the circuit deep under water, teams and drivers have been told to stay away except to retrieve equipment from the paddock and pit lane.

FIA stewards released the following statement after their inspection of the circuit this morning: "It is the collective view of the race directors that the volume of water on the track, and the likelihood of there being any improvement during the day, would make it impossible to run any races safely.

"The stewards of the meeting have accepted their advice and cancelled all races today."

Dubai Autodrome manager Richard Birch says the circuit has experienced flooding in the past, but never on the same weekend as a high-profile race meeting.

"This is some of the worst flooding I have encountered at the circuit," he said. "A couple of years ago we had a similar situation but were fortunate that the rain did not affect a major event as it has done this weekend.

"It is a shame because there was a very good crowd yesterday and we were expecting a big crowd again today as the weekend falls conveniently during the holiday period.

"However, nothing could be done about the rain that has unfortunately stopped play."

Kamui Kobayashi won yesterday's first GP2 Asia race, while former grand prix driver Vitantonio Liuzzi triumphed on his Speedcar debut.

Kobayashi storms to Dubai win

Kobayashi storms to Dubai win

DAMS racer Kamui Kobayashi was unstoppable in the GP2 Asia feature race in Dubai today.

The Japanese driver dominated the first part of the race from pole, but lost the lead during the pitstops to Vitaly Petrov.

Kobayashi then got delayed by the Campos driver and was jumped by championship leader Roldan Rodriguez (Piquet GP).

But Kobayashi responded, driving past Rodriguez with a great move into the downhill left-hander towards the end of the lap. He then duplicated the move on Petrov next time around and drove away into the distance.

Several drivers could have finished second, and Davide Valsecchi (Durango) it was who eventually took it. He had made a great start to run second early on, but fell back after the stops.

A great late charge took him past Rodriguez for third and both then overtook the struggling Petrov.

Behind Petrov, former British F3 front-runner Sergio Perez took sixth for Campos, but only thanks to the retirement of the rapid Pastor Maldonado, who had charged forward after starting 12th.

Maldonado's ART teammate Sakon Yamamoto had started alongside Kobayashi on the front row, but made a poor start and then went off on the second lap.

His recovery charge took him initially to eighth, which would have given him pole for tomorrow's sprint race. He was then overtaken in a sensational move around the outside of Jerome d'Ambrosio, but Maldonado?s late retirement handed Yamamoto a lifeline.

He will therefore start from pole, but Kobayashi will take some beating - even starting from eighth - as he often proved a second per lap faster than the rest in race one.

Full results to follow

Kobayashi snatches pole in Dubai

Galaxy snap winless streak in emphatic fashion

Bamber sets practice pace in Dubai

Rodriguez pips Kobayashi to pole

Revs search for continuity as season closes

ART confirm Hulkenberg for GP2

ART Grand Prix have confirmed that Formula 3 Euro Series champion Nico Hulkenberg will graduate to GP2 with the team next season.

Hulkenberg has long been expected to step up within the ART ranks, and is pencilled in to contest two GP2 Asia rounds with the team this winter, but they have now announced that he will partner Pastor Maldonado for the main championship in 2009.

"ART Grand Prix and me, that sounds like a good combination to me," said Hulkenberg. "We know each other very well and we have worked great together so far.

"I had four days of testing with the team in the GP2 car and I feel comfortable with everything up to this point. Next year will be a tough one because GP2 is extremely competitive with great teams and great drivers, but I think we have a good package ourselves."

But Hulkenberg believes it will be difficult for him to challenge for the title in his first season in the series.

"Some tracks I don't know and the single practice session every round is very short, but we have to set our target high," he said. "We might not be able to fight for the podium in the very beginning, but it is my aim - as well as the team's - to climb up there and try to get a win or two."

ART boss Frederic Vasseur added: "There is no need to give the reasons that convinced us to continue our collaboration with Nico, his records speak for themselves!

"He is a fast and talented driver but also a young man who is very well balanced. He has strong race intelligence
and positive human relationships.

"With Nico and Pastor, ART Grand Prix's aim will be to return to the place that was ours in 2005 and 2006, champions."

Kobayashi leads the way in Jerez test

Maldonado tops GP2 test for ART

Kobayashi snatches pole in Dubai

Kamui Kobayashi snatched pole position in the GP2 Asia event in Dubai with a late run this afternoon.

Kobayashi, along with title rival Roldan Rodriguez, seemed content to let others set the pace for much of the session.

But the DAMS driver made his big push with just two minutes of the session left to take pole with a lap of 1:41.091.

"There was a lot of traffic, so it was difficult to get a time," said Kobayashi. "I think I was quite lucky."

Sakon Yamamoto (ART) made it an all-Japan front row with an even later effort, 0.184 seconds down.

Earlier in the session, Vitaly Petrov (Campos) fought Piquet GP's Diego Nunes for pole, but neither could quite raise their game enough when the Japanese challenge materialised.

Petrov ended up third, after a clash with a slower car on his final lap. Nunes was eighth.

Title leader Rodriguez held pole briefly, but was pushed down to fourth in the late scrum.

Yelmer Buurman maintained the good form of new squad Ocean Racing from practice, taking sixth behind Davide Valsecchi (Durango).

Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:41.091 13 2. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:41.275 +0.184 12 3. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:41.341 +0.250 14 4. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:41.376 +0.285 15 5. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:41.472 +0.381 15 6. Yelmer Buurman Ocean 1:41.550 +0.459 14 7. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:41.557 +0.466 15 8. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:41.593 +0.502 15 9. Sergio Perez Campos 1:41.768 +0.677 15 10. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:41.777 +0.686 14 11. Andi Zuber FMS 1:41.798 +0.707 14 12. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:41.838 +0.747 13 13. Renger van der Zande Arden 1:42.054 +0.963 15 14. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:42.062 +0.971 13 15. James Jakes Super Nova 1:42.066 +0.975 15 16. Earl Bamber Qi-Meritus 1:42.068 +0.977 15 17. Luiz Razia Arden 1:42.204 +1.113 14 18. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:42.351 +1.260 14 19. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1:42.367 +1.276 15 20. Alberto Valerio Trident 1:42.541 +1.450 15 21. Alex Yoong Qi-Meritus 1:43.026 +1.935 14 22. Michael Herck DPR 1:43.102 +2.011 14 23. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean 1:43.316 +2.225 14 24. Chris van der Drift Trident 1:43.393 +2.302 15 25. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango 1:45.603 +4.512 15

Rodriguez wins as Kobayashi spins

CONCACAF Qualifying roundup

Bamber sets practice pace in Dubai

Bamber sets practice pace in Dubai

GP2 Asia series front-runner Earl Bamber began his campaign for the second round of the series in Dubai by setting the fastest time in practice today.

The Qi-Meritus driver left it late, pipping the DAMS car of Kamui Kobayashi by 0.001s on the very last lap of the session. Bamber's best was 1:44.048.

Durango's David Valsecchi, a winner at the Shanghai opener in October, took third, just ahead of teammate Jerome d'Ambrosio.

Tiago Monteiro's new Ocean Racing squad proved competitive, with Yelmer Buurman ending up eighth - 0.7 seconds behind Bamber.

Championship leader Roldan Rodriguez set the early pace for Piquet GP, but eventually finished ninth.

The main casualty during the session was Trident Racing's Chris van der Drift, who crashed out early after locking up and hitting the barriers.

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Earl Bamber Qi-Meritus 1:44.048 2. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:44.049 3. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:44.148 4. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:44.488 5. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:44.565 6. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:44.711 7. Sergio Perez Campos 1:44.776 8. Yelmer Buurman Ocean 1:44.782 9. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:44.905 10. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:44.936 11. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:45.300 12. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:45.332 13. James Jakes Super Nova 1:45.688 14. Andi Zuber FMS 1:45.815 15. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1:45.909 16. Michael Herck DPR 1:46.191 17. Luiz Razia Arden 1:46.314 18. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:46.315 19. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:46.342 20. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean 1:46.975 21. Renger van der Zande Arden 1:46.993 22. Alberto Valerio Trident 1:47.856 23. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:50.600 24. Michael Dalle Selle Durango 1:50.821 25. Alex Yoong Qi-Meritus 1:51.699 26. Chris van der Drift Trident 1:53.607

Rapids win sets up winner-take-all vs. RSL

Quakes dictate pace in road draw

Kobayashi snatches pole in Dubai

Ocean sign Crestani as second driver

Tiago Monteiro has announced that Euroseries 3000 racer Fabrizio Crestani will drive the second Ocean Racing car in the GP2 Asia round at Dubai this weekend.

Team boss Monteiro revealed Yelmer Buurman as the team's lead driver earlier this week and the Dutchman will be joined by Crestani, who finished fifth in the Euroseries 3000 standings this year despite missing the first five races.

The Italian, who also contested a handful of Formula Master races this season, caught Monteiro's attention during his first taste of GP2 testing for DPR at Paul Ricard last month where he finished in the top ten in the afternoon session.

"Fabrizio is a young driver with potential," said Monteiro. "He quickly came to grips with the Euroseries 3000 and his performances were solid. He now has to take this new challenge as he has never raced with such power before.

"He is motivated and that is important when entering such a competitive championship that all the young drivers are aiming to join."

Buurman and Crestani will take to the track for Ocean for the first time on Thursday in the qualifying session for the GP2 Asia meeting at Dubai this weekend.

Fire sign Paraguayan defender Marmol

Buurman fills Monteiro’s first seat

Buurman fills Monteiro's first seat

Yelmer Buurman has been confirmed as the first driver for former grand prix racer Tiago Monteiro's new GP2 team, Ocean Racing.

Monteiro and his associates acquired the BCN Competicion team last week, and will compete under the Ocean name for the remainder of this winter's Asia series and next summer's main championship.

Buurman, who contested the first half of this year's GP2 championship with Team Arden - before being replaced by Luca Filippi - will join the squad for the second Asian series round in Dubai next weekend.

"It's exciting to race for this brand new team and I will do my best to impress Tiago and (co-owner) Jose Guedes enough to stay in the team for 2009," said Buurman, who recently finished runner-up in the inaugural Superleague championship for PSV Eindhoven.

"I would like to thank Tiago for getting a new chance in GP2 after my successful season in Superleague. My first races in GP2 Asia last year were quite good - in Dubai I finished on the podium and I hope to repeat this performance with Ocean Racing.

"Tiago explained to me his ideas and plans, and I am convinced the new team will soon be a front runner."

Monteiro says he rates Buurman highly and is looking forward to working with the Dutchman.

"I see him as a great driver with very good potential, and he really fits this project," said Monteiro. "He's fast and has good experience already in single seaters.

"He's very motivated and has a hard working profile. He's the kind of personality Ocean Racing needs."

Monteiro acquires BCN GP2 team

Monteiro acquires BCN GP2 team

The BCN Competicion GP2 team have been acquired by a company led by former Formula One driver Tiago Monteiro, it has been announced.

Monteiro, who has been racing for SEAT in the WTCC championship, will lead the project alongside businessman Jose Manuel Guedes and Edmar Monteiro, who has been Tiago's manager during his career.

The team, renamed Ocean Racing Technology, will now be the first Portuguese squad to compete in GP2.

"This is a step I have always wanted to make in my professional career but I would have never imagined taking it this early," said Monteiro, a former Jordan and Spyker F1 driver.

"We had the opportunity and we worked on the financial aspect of the project, then we started negotiations.

"The management of a race team is fascinating because not only do you need to have a good knowledge of what can happen on track but you also need to have some skills in the business. The GP2 Series is the ideal platform because it is very close to Formula One.

"Its popularity and competitiveness is on the rise. After careful consideration we think this project could be a springboard that is perfectly adapted to our ambition of promoting Portuguese motorsport beyond its frontiers."

Monteiro, 32, said the team were already in negotiations with several drivers.

"The team is under construction but our organization will soon be complete," he added. "We are gathering a group of professionals who have to have a bank of knowledge and quality because we are well aware the GP2 Series is one of the most competitive championships.

"We are hiring people we know, who have proved they're good at what they're doing in F1, GP2 or other international championships. The GP2 Asia series will be a warm up for the Main Series where we will operate with the full team. We have a lot of work ahead of us but the motivation is as big as this project is as we know it is a very important one.

"We know the identity of the drivers is something people would like to know. I can simply tell you that there is no obligation for them to be Portuguese even though it is a possibility. At this step of the team's construction, the most important thing is to make the right choices."

The team said they will soon announce where they will be based from now on, with the Technological Park of International Motor Racing in Algarve one of the possibilities.

"We have carefully studied several sites and it is clear the International Autodrome of Algarve offers all the conditions to host a GP2 team and that it is a powerful tool perfectly adapted to its needs," said Guedes.

"But our structure is diverse and our people come from various countries and several other sites could be potential candidates. The finale decision will be made over the next few days."

Algarve to host 2009 GP2 finale

J.League delegation visits MLS clubs

Van der Garde joins iSport

Campos steps down from GP2 team

Maki shelves GP2 Asia plans

Mika Maki has abandoned his GP2 Asia plans this winter to focus on a title push in his second season in the Formula 3 Euro Series next year.

The Red Bull-backed 20-year-old, who finished joint fourth in the Euro Series standings this year, raced for Team Arden in the GP2 Asia opener in China last month.

But this week's Autosport reports that he has shelved plans to complete the series after deciding to remain in F3 for another year in a bid to win the championship.

"The only possible target now is the title - that was always the plan," said Maki. "I'm better prepared now to show my real speed."

Maki drove for Mucke Motorsport this year, but declined to comment on which team he will race for next year, following Volkswagen's claim that all Red Bull-backed F3 drivers will have VW power next season.

Renger van der Zande, who tied Maki for fourth in the Euro Series standings this year, will replace the Finn at Arden for the remainder of the GP2 Asia series, while Maki added that he still hopes to graduate to the main GP2 Series in 2010.

Kobayashi tipped for GP2 Asia title

Arden sign Razia, Maki for GP2 Asia

Pantano returns to test 2009 updates

GP2 champion Giorgio Pantano was invited back to the series at the end of last week to test a package of updates for the Dallara-Renault used in the championship.

The Italian completed 400 kilometres of running at Paul Ricard, focusing mainly on ensuring that the new clutch that will be introduced for 2009 was sufficiently reliable.

GP2 technical director Didier Perrin declared himself highly satisfied with both the upgrades and Pantano's contribution.

"We enjoyed a trouble-free session and are very satisfied with the clutch in particular: I believe both the teams and the drivers will enjoy its input," he said.

"It was a real pleasure to benefit from Giorgio's expertise and experience. He is not only able to run fast laps one after the other with impressive regularity, but he can also analyse with great finesse the behaviour of the car."

Pantano, who has competed in GP2 since its inception and beat Bruno Senna to this year's title, said he was pleased to be invited back to help.

"I am really grateful to have been given the opportunity to help develop the car," he said. "The GP2 Series will always be a very important part of my career, and I am glad to help them."

The Italian has yet to finalise his 2009 plans, but has been linked to a return to the IndyCar Series, where he raced briefly in 2005.

Real focused on toppling Chivas

Senna, Grosjean rue tech failures

DPR amazed by Bratt's performance

DPR team boss David Price has admitted he was wowed by the pace of rookie Will Bratt in Tuesday's GP2 testing at Paul Ricard, and is interested in signing him in the future.

Bratt, 20, ended the test second only to recent pacesetter Kamui Kobayashi of DAMS, and the result marked a return to the top of the times for the DPR team.

"He did an outstanding job," said Price. "He had tested for us once before and did a good job.

"When you consider he's got no real track record behind him, and has been in Spanish F3 this year, he surprised us all with his speed.

"There's definitely something there, and it would be nice to see more English guys in GP2. He's very bright and he's well worth us looking at him for next year."

In between his racing, Bratt is studying English History at the famous Oxford University. He switched to Spanish Formula 3 this season after three years in Formula Renault in the UK.

GP2 organisers announce GP3 series

Campos steps down from GP2 team

Rodriguez leads wet final test day

Roldan Rodriguez was quickest on a wet second day of GP2 testing at Paul Ricard.

In the final testing session until March next year, all the GP2 teams bar BCN took this last opportunity to evaluate potential contenders for 2009 seats or just to gather data with stalwart drivers.

But a foggy start to the day, then persistent rain and red flags, disrupted both today's sessions.

Piquet Sports driver Rodriguez, who currently leads the GP2 Asia Series after a victory at the Shanghai season-opener last month, beat DAMS' Kamui Kobayashi to the top spot in the afternoon - the pair enjoying a 0.5-second margin over the rest of the field, which was led by Vitaly Petrov (Campos).

Asian Series competitor Luiz Razia took fourth for ART, with Formula 3 graduate Dani Clos the best of the rookies in fifth place for main series champions Racing Engineering.

Durango's Davide Valsecchi had led the way in the slower morning session, lapping 0.024 seconds quicker than Rodriguez.

Kobayashi, Clos and Petrov completed the top five.

Afternoon times: Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet Sports 1:27.038 32 2. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:27.259 48 3. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Int Campos Team 1:27.718 57 4. Luiz Razia ART Grand Prix 1:27.775 52 5. Dani Clos Racing Engineering 1:27.813 31 6. Julien Jousse Fisichella Motor Sport Int 1:27.822 53 7. Karun Chandhok iSport International 1:27.858 39 8. Mike Conway iSport International 1:27.922 37 9. Nico Hulkenberg ART Grand Prix 1:27.955 41 10. Sergio Perez Piquet Sports 1:28.006 41 11. Fabio Onidi Super Nova Racing 1:28.077 46 12. Marcello Puglisi Durango 1:28.232 59 13. Koudai Tsukakoshi Barwa Int Campos Team 1:28.313 50 14. Charles Pic Super Nova Racing 1:28.400 23 15. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 1:28.425 38 16. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:28.448 43 17. Diego Nunes Trust Team Arden 1:28.536 48 18. Michael Herck DPR 1:28.692 37 19. Nelson Panciatici Trident Racing 1:29.066 48 20 Sten Pentus Racing Engineering 1:29.098 44 21. Alvaro Parente Trust Team Arden 1:29.127 35 22. Fabrizio Crestani DPR 1:29.786 19 23. Christian Ebbesvik Fisichella Motor Sport Int 1:29.806 34 24. Carlos Iaconelli Trident Racing 1:30.689 33 Morning times: Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:27.826 46 2. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet Sports 1:27.850 47 3. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:28.213 50 4. Dani Clos Racing Engineering 1:28.247 45 5. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Int Campos Team 1:28.332 50 6. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 1:28.344 55 7. Alvaro Parente Trust Team Arden 1:28.395 49 8. Nico Hulkenberg ART Grand Prix 1:28.423 54 9. Koudai Tsukakoshi Barwa Int Campos Team 1:28.697 44 10. Fabrizio Crestani DPR 1:28.757 61 11. Luiz Razia ART Grand Prix 1:28.852 45 12. Michael Herck DPR 1:28.895 49 13. Karun Chandhok iSport International 1:28.972 24 14. Mike Conway iSport International 1:29.010 20 15. Sergio Perez Piquet Sports 1:29.244 25 16. Fabio Onidi Super Nova Racing 1:29.598 40 17. Christian Ebbesvik Fisichella Motor Sport Int 1:29.600 47 18. Charles Pic Super Nova Racing 1:29.626 37 19. Nelson Panciatici Trident Racing 1:29.830 48 20 Sten Pentus Racing Engineering 1:30.406 17 21. Diego Nunes Trust Team Arden 1:30.582 47 22. Marcello Puglisi Trident Racing 1:31.215 36 23. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango 1:36.497 34 24. Julien Jousse Fisichella Motor Sport Int 1:37.736 3

Kobayashi dominates Paul Ricard test

Top of SuperLiga table clash on tap

Kobayashi on top in Paul Ricard test

Kamui Kobayashi continued to show impressive form in GP2, the Japanese topping the times on the first day of testing at the Paul Ricard circuit.

The DAMS driver posted a best time of 1:15.434 in the afternoon session to finish over three tenths of a second ahead of the impressive rookie Will Brat in the DPR machine.

Track conditions were far from perfect during the day after rain hit the French circuit both in the morning and near the end of the session.

Another rookie, Koudai Tsukakoshi, was also very quick today, setting the third fastest time in the Campos car, ahead of Luca Filippi and Charles Pic, also a rookie.

A total of 12 drivers finished in the same second.

Female racer Natacha Gachnang also made her GP2 debut today at the wheel of the FMS car, the Austrian completing 22 laps in the afternoon on her way to the slowest time. In the morning, however, she was 19th quickest.

The test continues tomorrow.

Afternoon timesPos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:15.434 29 2. Will Brat DPR 1:15.749 48 3. Koudai Tsukakoshi Barwa Int Campos Team 1:16.072 40 4. Luca Filippi Super Nova Racing 1:16.082 23 5. Charles Pic Piquet Sports 1:16.221 32 6. Giedo Van der Garde iSport International 1:16.268 15 7. Jerome D Ambrosio Dams 1:16.368 41 8. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet Sports 1:16.394 33 9. Andreas Zuber Racing Engineering 1:16.395 17 10. Nico Hulkenberg ART Grand Prix 1:16.432 31 11. Luiz Razia FMS International 1:16.520 46 12. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:16.541 16 13. Mike Conway iSport International 1:16.557 25 14. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Int Campos Team 1:16.638 23 15. Alberto Valerio ART Grand Prix 1:16.893 14 16. Michael Herck DPR 1:17.268 16 17. Marcello Puglisi Durango 1:17.457 27 18. Julien Jousse Trident Racing 1:17.472 32 19. Fabio Onidi Super Nova Racing 1:17.656 39 20. Sten Pentus Racing Engineering 1:18.205 22 21. Fabio Leimer Trident Racing 1:18.353 34 22. Christian Ebbesvik Trust Team Arden 1:18:549 20 23. Nelson Panciatici Trust Team Arden 1:19.404 17 24. Natacha Gachnang FMS International 1:28.710 22

Morning timesPos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:18.496 28 2. Jerome D Ambrosio Dams 1:19.969 53 3. Luca Filippi Super Nova Racing 1:20.022 37 4. Michael Herck DPR 1:20.779 37 5. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:20.980 26 6. Oliver Turvey iSport International 1:21.161 43 7. Luiz Razia FMS International 1:22.126 63 8. Koudai Tsukakoshi Barwa Campos Team 1:22.255 36 9. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos Team 1:23.783 21 10. Fabio Leimer Trident Racing 1:23.844 49 11. Andreas Zuber Racing Engineering 1:24.220 34 12. Giedo Van der Garde iSport International 1:24.237 30 13. Nelson Panciatici Trust Team Arden 1:24.408 41 14. Julien Jousse Trident Racing 1:24.479 36 15. Will Brat DPR 1:24.728 50 16. Fabio Onidi Super Nova Racing 1:25.135 37 17. Sten Pentus Racing Engineering 1:25.414 40 18. Marcello Puglisi Durango 1:25.501 41 19. Natacha Gachnang FMS International 1:26.060 68 20. Christian Ebbesvic Trust Team Arden 1:26.144 41 21. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet Sports 1:26.744 10 22. Nico Hulkenberg ART Grand Prix 1:27.336 23 23. Charles Pic Piquet Sports 1:28.200 19 24. Alberto Valerio ART Grand Prix 1:28.498 38

Kobayashi tops first session at Ricard

Kobayashi dominates Paul Ricard test

Maldonado to race for ART in 2009

Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado will race for the ART Grand Prix team in next year's GP2 Series championship, it was announced on Monday.

Maldonado will also compete with the team in three races of the GP2 Asia series this season.

The 23-year-old finished in fifth place in the 2008 championship with Piquet Sports, after a strong end to the season.

Next year, he admits he will be trying to go for the title.

"I am very proud to be part of a team with the most titles and winners in the history of the GP2 Series and of course, I hope to contribute to winning the teams championship again as well as fighting for the drivers' title in the new season," said Maldonado.

"ART Grand Prix is a highly professional team combined with an environment which has great human qualities. We instantly got along together during testing and I am sure that it will be a great experience for both of us: let's learn from each other and make a great team which will be ready to fight for both championships."

Team boss Frederic Vasseur added: "Pastor had an exceptional end to the 2008 season, scoring more points than any other driver and three time as many as the GP2 Europe champion during the last eight races. There is no doubt he is one of the fastest and more complete drivers in the series.

"With his raw speed his experience of the series and his knowledge of the tracks it will make him one of the favourites for the 2009 championship. Pastor and the team got along really well during recent testing at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit. All the lights are green and our aim will be to secure both titles next season."

Big goal for Chivas? Second round

Maldonado seeks Monaco double

Kobayashi leads the way in Jerez test

Kamui Kobayashi continued his impressive GP2 testing pace by leading the way in both sessions at Jerez today.

The Japanese driver has set the pace so far this winter, topping the previous main series test at Paul Ricard.

He was also quickest in the run up to the opening GP2 Asia round at Shanghai, although incidents in the races restricted him to a second place finish and a retirement.

But he returned to form in this week's two-day main series test in Spain, narrowly edging out Davide Valsecchi in the morning and Nico Hulkenberg this afternoon.

Hulkenberg put in another impressive day's work with ART, although his best time was bettered by Formula Renault 3.5 race winner Charles Pic, who was also in action with ART today. Pic's was the fourth quickest time of the day, behind Kobayashi, Valsecchi and Koudai Tsukakoshi, who impressed again with Piquet Sports.

Edoardo Mortara had the best day of this week's other GP2 newcomers, finishing the afternoon session seventh quickest for Arden, while Chris van der Drift had his best run yet with Trident running 12th this morning.

British Formula 3 champion Jaime Alguersuari was the latest driver to sample a GP2 car for the first time this week. He was only 25th with iSport this morning but improved to 17th in the afternoon session.

Fellow British F3 graduate Sergio Perez was out with Campos this morning, but did not run this afternoon, while BCN Competicion were absent again.

Morning times

Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:24.262 2. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:24.367 +0.105 3. Koudai Tsukakoshi Piquet 1:24.371 +0.109 4. Charles Pic ART 1:24.756 +0.494 5. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:24.780 +0.519 6. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:24.841 +0.579 7. Luca Filippi Racing Engineering 1:24.898 +0.636 8. Pastor Maldonado iSport 1:24.924 +0.663 9. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:25.136 +0.874 10. Diego Nunes Campos 1:25.206 +0.944 11. Andi Zuber Super Nova 1:25.340 +1.078 12. Chris van der Drift Trident 1:25.425 +1.163 13. Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1:25.440 +1.178 14. Christian Ebbesvik FMS 1:25.590 +1.328 15. James Jakes Super Nova 1:25.590 +1.328 16. Karun Chandhok FMS 1:25.662 +1.400 17. Vitaly Petrov Racing Engineering 1:25.730 +1.468 18. Michael Herck DPR 1:25.790 +1.528 19. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:25.892 +1.630 20. Carlos van Dam FMS 1:26.025 +1.763 21. Sten Pentus DPR 1:26.028 +1.766 22. Alberto Valerio Trident 1:26.137 +1.875 23. Luiz Razia Arden 1:26.141 +1.879 24. Sergio Perez Campos 1:26.153 +1.891 25. Jaime Alguersuari iSport 1:26.710 +2.448

Afternoon times

Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:25.071 2. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:25.084 +0.013 3. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:25.283 +0.212 4. Charles Pic ART 1:25.329 +0.258 5. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:25.637 +0.566 6. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:25.640 +0.569 7. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:25.885 +0.814 8. Diego Nunes Campos 1:25.895 +0.824 9. Luca Filippi Racing Engineering 1:25.897 +0.826 10. Andreas Zuber Super Nova 1:26.016 +0.945 11. Koudai Tsukakoshi Piquet 1:26.076 +1.005 12. Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1:26.107 +1.036 13. Vitaly Petrov Racing Engineering 1:26.113 +1.042 14. Michael Herck DPR 1:26.155 +1.084 15. James Jakes Super Nova 1:26.266 +1.195 16. Alberto Valerio Trident 1:26.358 +1.287 17. Jaime Alguersuari iSport 1:26.491 +1.420 18. Sten Pentus DPR 1:26.842 +1.772 19. Christian Ebbesvik FMS 1:26.893 +1.822 20. Carlos van Dam FMS 1:27.035 +1.964 21. Luiz Razia Arden 1:27.736 +2.665 22. Pastor Maldonado iSport 1:28.039 +2.968 23. Bertrand Baguette Trident 1:28.434 +3.363

Kobayashi stays on top at Ricard

Kobayashi dominates Paul Ricard test

Maldonado tops GP2 test for ART

Algarve to host 2009 GP2 finale

Next year's GP2 season finale will be held at the new Algarve International Circuit near Poritmao in Portugal.

The recently-built circuit will be used as a test venue by Formula One teams this winter and will hold its first major international meeting when the World Superbike championship visits this weekend. The track will also host the penultimate round of the current A1GP season in April.

The Algarve track was homologated by the FIA earlier this month and has declared its interest in holding a Formula One race in the near future. The GP2 rounds could be used as a test run for F1.

The inclusion of the Portuguese track on the calendar means GP2 will return to holding at least one round away from F1 next year. The season finale was a separate event at Valencia in 2006, but there was no standalone race this year because series bosses switched the Valencia event from the Ricardo Tormo facility to join F1's visit to the new street circuit.

GP2 Series organiser Bruno Michel said: "On top of developing tomorrow's talents, our aim also includes new venues that will generate track action as well as meet our security standards.

"The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve has made a tremendous job in providing us with a track that delivers everything a high-level category needs. I'm really looking forward to the first event."

The date for the race is still to be confirmed.

Maldonado tops GP2 test for ART

Pastor Maldonado topped the first day's running at this week's GP2 test at Jerez.

The Venezuelan was quickest of all in the afternoon session, on his first day with the ART Grand Prix team. ART also ran Nico Hulkenberg, who set the third fastest time of the day during the morning. The pair were split by Davide Valsecchi's Durango, which posted the best time of the morning.

Maldonado topped the afternoon running, ahead of Japanese drivers Koudai Tsukakoshi (Piquet) and Kamui Kobayashi (DAMS), with Hulkenberg fourth quickest in that session.

Karun Chandhok set the fifth fastest time of the test for Fisichella Motor Sport, while other drivers in action for new teams included Andi Zuber and Alvaro Parente at Racing Engineering.

Formula Renault 3.5 champion Giedo van der Garde continued with iSport, where he was joined by Charles Pic. Edoardo Mortara had his first run with Trident Racing, alongside Chris van der Drift and Japanese F3 champion Carlo van Dam joined Chandhok at FMS.

Every team was present at Jerez today, with the exception of BCN. The test will resume tomorrow morning, with several drivers swapping seats, including series race winners Luca Filippi and Vitaly Petrov who are expected to jump into Racing Engineering's cars.

Morning times

Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:24.823 2. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:24.903 +0.080 3. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:25.025 +0.202 4. Koudai Tsukakoshi Piquet 1:25.138 +0.315 5. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:25.213 +0.390 6. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:25.545 +0.722 7. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:25.549 +0.726 8. Karun Chandhok FMS 1:25.616 +0.793 9. Charles Pic iSport 1:25.638 +0.815 10. Andi Zuber Racing Engineering 1:25.665 +0.842 11. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:25.740 +0.917 12. Luca Filippi Super Nova 1:25.860 +1.037 13. Alvaro Parente Racing Engineering 1:26.016 +1.193 14. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:26.252 +1.429 15. James Jakes Super Nova 1:26.497 +1.674 16. Michael Herck DPR 1:26.508 +1.685 17. Davide Rigon Campos 1:26.546 +1.723 18. Marcello Puglisi Durango 1:26.573 +1.750 19. Edoardo Mortara Trident 1:26.854 +2.031 20. Christian Ebbesvik Arden 1:26.874 +2.051 21. Chris van der Drift Trident 1:26.990 +2.167 22. Carlo van Dam FMS 1:27.167 +2.344 23. Luiz Razia Arden 1:27.666 +2.843 24. Sten Pentus DPR 1:28.075 +3.252

Afternoon times

Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:24.727 2. Koudai Tsukakoshi Piquet 1:25.015 +0.288 3. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:25.025 +0.299 4. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:25.063 +0.336 5. Karun Chandhok FMS 1:25.255 +0.528 6. Andreas Zuber Racing Engineering 1:25.437 +0.710 7. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:25.539 +0.812 8. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:25.605 +0.878 9. Alvaro Parente Racing Engineering 1:25.667 +0.940 10. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:25.747 +1.020 11. Charles Pic iSport 1:25.755 +1.028 12. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:25.831 +1.104 13. Luca Filippi Super Nova 1:25.860 +1.133 14. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:26.055 +1.328 15. Chris van der Drift Trident 1:26.345 +1.618 16. Davide Rigon Campos 1:26.399 +1.672 17. Michael Herck DPR 1:26.514 +1.787 18. Marcello Puglisi Durango 1:26.607 +1.880 19. Edoardo Mortara Trident 1:26.803 +2.076 20. Christian Ebbesvik Arden 1:27.158 +2.431 21. Sten Pentus DPR 1:27.443 +2.716 22. James Jakes Super Nova 1:27.459 +2.732 23. Luiz Razia Arden 1:28.064 +3.337 24. Carlo van Dam FMS 1:28.607 +3.880

Barcelona tops Guadalajara in friendly

Kobayashi tops first session at Ricard

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Maldonado fastest in free practice

Mortara to test for Arden, Trident

Formula 3 Euro Series championship runner-up Edoardo Mortara is to test for GP2 teams Trident Racing and Arden later this week.

The French-Italian is scheduled to run for Trident at Jerez on Wednesday, before trying out the Arden machine the following day.

"I'm very much looking forward to having the chance to test a GP2 car, which will be a brand new experience for me," said Mortara. "I'd like to thank Volkswagen for giving me permission to do the test, which is very much appreciated along with all the rest of their support throughout the season.

"At the moment I am assessing different options for 2009, and I hope that this new experience of different cars and teams in Jerez will give me some useful knowledge for the future."

After his test in Jerez, Mortara will travel to Macau for the F3 Grand Prix which takes place on November 16.

Galaxy still clinging to playoff dreams

Kobayashi dominates Paul Ricard test

Sealy trade gives K.C. options

Valsecchi wins race two at Shanghai

Durango's Davide Valsecchi opened his GP2 Asia account with a win in the second race at Shanghai, although constant pressure from Earl Bamber meant that the result did not come easily.

Valsecchi started from pole with Bamber alongside, and within just a few laps the pair had opened enough of a gap to remove everyone else from the equation.

But Bamber was a formidable enough threat on his own, to the point where he was actually quicker during the middle stint of the race, before Valsecchi got a second wind and created a two-second buffer that he held until the end.

Javier Villa was third after passing Chris van der Drift on the back straight midway through the race, although the Spaniard had a scare in the closing laps when he overcooked it going into a corner and ran off the track.

Fortunately for him, he had been pulling away from van der Drift at more than a second per lap and had enough of a gap to rejoin without losing a position.

Van der Drift held off a long train of cars to finish fourth ahead of Jerome D'Ambrosio and Roldan Rodriguez, the latter emerging from the weekend as the series leader courtesy of his win in the first race. Kamui Kobayashi retained second in the points despite retiring from race two with damage.

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Davide Valsecchi Durango 41:44.065 2. Earl Bamber Qi-Meritus + 4.809 3. Javier Villa Super Nova + 10.189 4. Chris van der Drift Trident + 17.700 5. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS + 18.383 6. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet + 18.810 7. Sergio Perez Barwa Campos + 19.356 8. Hiroki Yoshimoto BCN + 31.563 9. Alex Yoong Qi-Meritus + 32.982 10. Mika Maki Arden + 33.587 11. James Jakes Super Nova + 34.608 12. Yuhi Sekiguchi DPR + 38.078 13. Nelson Philippe ART + 40.428 14. Sakon Yamamoto ART +1:05.498 15. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS +1:39.742 16. Michael Herck DPR + 1 lap 17. Luiz Razia Arden + 2 laps Not classified:Driver Team Laps Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos 19 Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 16 Hamad Al Fardan iSport 11 Luca Filippi BCN 10 Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1 Giacomo Ricci Trident 1 Diego Nunes Piquet 0 Andreas Zuber FMS 0

Kobayashi still on top in Shanghai

Rodriguez wins as Kobayashi spins

Nowak makes final roster selections

Barcelona tops Guadalajara in friendly

CONCACAF Qualifying roundup

Kobayashi fastest in Shanghai practice

Rodriguez pips Kobayashi to pole

Roldan Rodriguez will start the first of this weekend's GP2 Asia races at Shanghai from pole position after snatching the top spot in the final seconds of qualifying.

The Piquet Sports driver waited until his final lap to set a time of 1:45.233, which nudged Kamui Kobayashi out of P1 by just under two tenths of a second.

Up to that point, Kobayashi had looked secure on top of the timesheet, having been quickest right through practice and qualifying until Rodriguez's last-gasp effort.

Giedo van der Garde continued his good form from testing last week to finish third quickest, and will be joined on the second row by Vitaly Petrov.

Proceedings were interrupted twice by red flags, the first of which was triggered when Super Nova's James Jakes crashed heavily at the final corner. He ran wide over the kerbs, flicking his car across the track and into a tank-slapper against the concrete barrier.

Hamad Al Fardan was responsible for the other red after spinning his iSport car on the exit of Turn 4 and stalling in the middle of the track.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:45.233 13 2. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:45.418 10 3. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:45.643 14 4. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:45.643 10 5. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:45.800 13 6. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:45.843 14 7. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:45.885 11 8. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:46.009 7 9. Earl Bamber Meritus 1:46.060 11 10. Luca Filippi BCN 1:46.084 15 11. Luiz Razia Arden 1:46.130 13 12. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:46.169 12 13. Nelson Philippe ART 1:46.171 15 14. Hamad Al Fardan iSport 1:46.305 8 15. Mika Maki Arden 1:46.504 12 16. Chris van der Drift Trident 1:46.595 13 17. Yuki Sekiguchi DPR 1:46.733 13 18. Sergio Perez Campos 1:46.809 13 19. Michael Herck DPR 1:46.843 15 20 Giacomo Ricci Trident 1:47.010 13 21. Hiroki Yoshimoto BCN 1:47.231 12 22. Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1:47.355 16 23. Alex Yoong Meritus 1:47.652 12 24. James Jakes Super Nova 1:49.026 3 25 Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:49.413 15 26 Andi Zuber FMS no time

Rodriguez wins as Kobayashi spins

CONCACAF Qualifying roundup

Barcelona tops Guadalajara in friendly

Kobayashi fastest in Shanghai practice

Kamui Kobayashi continued his blistering pace ahead of the first round of the GP2 Asia series at Shanghai this weekend.

The Toyota F1 test driver previously topped the pre-race testing in China and was nearly half a second clear of the rest of the field in this morning's practice session.

Kobayashi looks favourite to win the opening rounds with nobody able to get anywhere near his pace. Roldan Rodriguez was nearest to the DAMS driver and his Piquet Sports car was the only other below the 1:46 barrier.

Andi Zuber was third quickest for FMS, ahead of Javier Villa and the top rookie, Giedo van der Garde.

Experienced GP2 racers Vitaly Petrov, Davide Valsecchi and Sakon Yamamoto were next up, with two more GP2 first timers, Mika Maki and Hamad al Fardan, completing the top ten.

The session was red-flagged just a minute short of the half hour when Nelson Philippe stopped his ART car at Turn 13. The qualifying session for this weekend's races follows later this morning.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:45.527 11 2. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet Sports 1:45.995 11 3. Andi Zuber FMS 1:46.068 13 4. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:46.073 12 5. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:46.085 11 6. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:46.101 12 7. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:46.145 12 8. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:46.172 11 9. Mika Maki Arden 1:46.294 12 10. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1:46.335 12 11. James Jakes Super Nova 1:46.363 12 12. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:46.397 11 13. Yuki Sekiguchi DPR 1:46.469 10 14. Diego Nunes Piquet Sports 1:46.535 12 15. Nelson Philippe ART 1:46.562 10 16. Sergio Perez Campos 1:46.569 11 17. Chris van der Drift Trident 1:46.708 11 18. Hiroki Yoshimoto BCN 1:46.968 12 19. Luiz Razia Arden 1:46.971 11 20 Luca Filippi BCN 1:47.025 13 21. Giacomo Ricci Trident 1:47.060 12 22. Michael Herck DPR 1:47.182 11 23. Alex Yoong Meritus 1:47.275 12 24. Earl Bamber Meritus 1:47.290 11 25 Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1:49.190 12 26 Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:49.313 14

Rodriguez wins as Kobayashi spins

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Kobayashi still on top in Shanghai

Rodriguez pips Kobayashi to pole

Kobayashi tipped for GP2 Asia title

Toyota F1 test driver Kamui Kobayashi is among the favourites for the title in both the forthcoming GP2 Asia series and next season's main championship, according to his DAMS team boss Eric Boullier.

The Japanese driver won two sprint races in Malaysia and Bahrain in the inaugural Asian series last year and added another sprint victory at Barcelona in the summer series.

He topped last week's GP2 Asia test at Shanghai by six tenths of a second and his team boss has high expectations for the next 12 months, starting with the opening round in China this weekend.

"I believe the start of the new season will show everybody that he is getting stronger," Boullier told this week's Autosport magazine.

"He will be ready to fight for the title in both series. I'm expecting him to be a front runner this season and I hope we will be at the front this weekend.

"Kamui's test pace was not surprising, he's naturally super fast. GP2 is not an easy series and he was a rookie this year, sometimes with no luck."

Kobayashi's main opposition in the Asia series is likely to come from countryman and former grand prix driver Sakon Yamamoto (ART), Formula Renault 3.5 champion Giedo van der Garde (iSport), GP2 race winners Vitaly Petrov (Campos), Javier Villa (Super Nova), Luca Filippi (BCN) and Andi Zuber (FMS).

Late additions to the grid include Formula Master champion Chris van der Drift (Trident) and British F3 race winner Sergio Perez (Campos), while F3 Euro Series champion Nico Hulkenberg is expected to contest part of the series with ART.

Bamber joins Meritus for GP2 Asia

Rodriguez wins as Kobayashi spins

Roldan Rodriguez inherited victory in the opening round of the GP2 Asia Series at Shanghai after Kamui Kobabyashi spun away the lead late on.

Full report to follow shortly...

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Rodriguez Piquet 1:06.23.303 2. Kobayashi DAMS + 0.632 3. Yamamoto ART + 3.971 4. Villa Super Nova + 7.235 5. Petrov Barwa Campos + 9.405 6. Bamber Qi-Meritus + 11.675 7. Van Der Drift Trident + 15.546 8. Valsecchi Durango + 16.178 9. D'Ambrosio DAMS + 16.495 10. Van Der Garde iSport + 16.811 11. Iaconelli Durango + 20.604 12. Nunes Piquet + 21.618 13. Ricci Trident + 23.109 14. Yoong Qi-Meritus + 25.892 15. Al Fardan iSport + 26.419 16. Herck DPR + 26.821 17. Philippe ART + 1 laps Not classified Driver Team Laps Filippi BCN + 24 laps Sekiguchi DPR + 24 laps Nai Chia Chen FMS + 24 laps Yoshimoto BCN + 20 laps Zuber FMS + 19 laps Jakes Super Nova + 19 laps Maki TTA + 10 laps Perez Barwa Campos + 10 laps Razia TTA + 3 laps

Barcelona tops Guadalajara in friendly

Kobayashi leads Shanghai test

Kobayashi still on top in Shanghai

CONCACAF Qualifying roundup

Turvey targets GP2 next season

Oliver Turvey believes he can be a contender for next season's GP2 title, despite losing the British Formula 3 championship to Jaime Alguersuari in the final race of the season last weekend.

The Briton went into the event at Donington Park with a 12-point lead, but a poor qualifying performance for the second race effectively handed the title to Alguersuari, who won both races to become the youngest ever British F3 champion and the first from Spain.

Turvey's racing is funded by the Racing Steps Foundation, which has pledged to support him again next season and he is hoping to land a drive in one of the top GP2 teams following recent tests with ART Grand Prix and iSport International.

"GP2 is where I want to be," Turvey told this week's Autosport magazine. "I felt really positive after the tests and I think ART were impressed with what I did.

"If I can get in with a top team, I'll want to go for the title in the first year and I don't see why we couldn't. This year with Carlin has shown what's possible with the best team."

Racing Steps founder Graham Sharp added: "We will continue to support Oliver and he'd like to move up. It's our philosophy to only work with the top teams in each formula and we will continue to follow that.

"A lot of people want to drive for the top teams and they rightly have the freedom to pick whoever they want. I hope that Oliver has impressed them and, if they want to take him, there's a decent chance that the money will be raised."

Turvey also admitted that he has received several offers to race in Formula Renault 3.5 next year, but is determined that GP2 is the first choice.

"I want GP2, but we will only do it with a team that can win it," he said. "We have people interested and World Series is definitely an alternative option."

But Alguersuari is less certain that GP2 is the right move after only one year of F3, even though he did win the championship.

"I'm still only 18 and I've only had one year in F3, so there is still a long way to go - I haven't arrived anywhere yet," he told Autosport. "I've never driven a GP2 car so maybe a test would be nice to feel the car.

"But I think when you choose the time to do GP2, you really have to be able to win straight away. The impression you make on everyone is very important and I would want to do it like Lewis Hamilton did it, you don't want to go there too early and not do a good enough job straight away.

"If you do World Series and can win many races or the championship, you're in a very good position to win GP2 in one year after that."

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

Turvey to test for iSport

Rodriguez delighted by maiden pole

Roldan Rodriguez was delighted by scoring his first true GP2 pole position for the opening round of the GP2 Asia series at Shanghai today.

The 23-year-old Spaniard inherited the top spot for the reverse grid race at Silverstone during the main championship this summer, but scored topped a GP2 qualifying session for the first time earlier today.

"It couldn't have been better, this is one of the happiest days of my life," said Rodriguez.

"I'd been trying to get a pole for a long time but this sport is very difficult and a result like this depends on many different features. Today I had the car and the team, that's how I was able to do it.

"I will do my best not to let victory slip from my hands tomorrow. I'm in front and I will do everything I can to win."

Rodriguez wins as Kobayashi spins

Valsecchi takes first GP2 victory

Pantano grabs pole, Valsecchi shunts

CONCACAF Qualifying roundup

Arden sign Razia, Maki for GP2 Asia

Trust Team Arden have confirmed that Luiz Razia and Mika Maki will form their line-up for the GP2 Asia series this season.

Brazilian Razia is currently in third place in the Euro Series 3000 championship, while Maki is fourth in the F3 Euro Series.

"I am happy to be involved in the GP2 Asia Series and to be starting this new season with Arden," said Maki. "The team have a great relationship with Red Bull and have helped develop Red Bull Juniors during the GP2 seasons and achieve good results. I am looking forward to working with the team and being on top in this championship".

Razia added: "I'm excited to start working with Arden in the GP2 Asia Championship. Arden has a great deal of motor sport history and I'm confident to contribute my share for the next page in their history book. I appreciate the trust Christian Horner and his highly successful team and sponsors are putting in me.

"After all, Arden finished second in the inaugural GP2 Asia Championship earlier this year, and so it is with great pleasure that I can confidently look forward to sitting in a race winning car and I will do my utmost to see Arden into the winner's circle again."

Kobayashi still on top in Shanghai

Campos steps down from GP2 team

Adrian Campos has decided to step down as team principal of the GP2 squad and sell his stake in the Spanish outfit.

The former grand prix driver, whose GP2 outfit won the teams' title this season, has sold his stake in the team to Alejandro Agag, who was already the majority stake holder and who now owns 100% of the team.

Campos will now focus on his F3 team and on another project he is yet to reveal details about.

"I think it's the right time to think about other projects that I have had in mind for a long time," said Campos.

"I will continue with the F3 team, that I have left aside a bit over these years, and I will start another project that excites me, one which I have a lot of hopes for the future and that I hope to make public very soon.

"I leave the team in the best hands because I have an assurance for continuity from Alejandro and I'm sure that he will do as well as I may have done during these years."

Spanish businessman Agag, who had been linked with a buyout of the Super Aguri F1 team earlier this year, had bought a majority stake in the GP2 squad in July last year.

"I only have words of gratitude for Adrian after he led us to the teams' title in record time, turning a team that was already one of the best in Spanish motorsport into the best organised and most competitive of the Formula One feeder series," said Agag.

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

Bamber joins Meritus for GP2 Asia

A1GP Team New Zealand racer Earl Bamber will contest the forthcoming GP2 Asia season with QI-Meritus Mahara, alongside former Grand Prix driver Alex Yoong.

The 18-year-old Kiwi finished on the podium in both races at the A1GP season opener at Zandvoort last weekend and is also the reigning Formula V6 Asia champion.

He and Yoong tested for the Meritus team during the two days of running at Shanghai this week, and the team confirmed both for the winter championship.

Bamber is eager to continue his relationship with Meritus, having raced for the team in Formula BMW Asia, the New Zealand-based Toyota Racing Series, and Formula V6 Asia.

"I've known the team since we won the BMW championship together in 2006 and I'm convinced they're one of the most professional teams in the paddock," he said.

"I suppose it will take me a while to get used to the GP2 car, but I progressed during testing and the potential is quite good. It will be a big step up from every other series I've driven, even A1GP."

Meritus team boss Peter Thompson added: "Our driver line-up is a great combination between Alex Yoong's experience and Earl Bamber's raw young speed. We have a good mix of talents and the first race will be the start of an exciting season. We hope to be fighting at the front."

The first event of the six-round GP2 Asia season supports the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai next weekend.

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Kobayashi leads Shanghai test

Kobayashi still on top in Shanghai

Kamui Kobayashi continued with his impressive form after topping the times on the second day of GP2 Asia testing at the Shanghai circuit.

The Japanese driver, quickest in the final test of the main series at Paul Ricard, had also finished on top in yesterday's session.

The Dams driver posted a best time of 1:45.871 in the morning and went fastest again in the afternoon despite a lap that was a tenth slower.

In the morning session, Kobayashi was followed by Spaniard Roldan Rodriguez in the Piquet machine, while in the afternoon compatriot Sakon Yamamoto in the ART Grand Prix car was second quickest.

Formula Renault 3.5 champion Giedo van der Garde shone again with the fifth quickest time for iSport.

Afternoon times:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:45.203 15
2. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:45.814 + 0.611 12
3. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:46.081 + 0.878 29
4. Jerome D'Ambrosio Dams 1:46.242 + 1.039 23
5. Giedo Van der Garde GFH Team iSport 1:46.373 + 1.170 31
6. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing 1:46.541 + 1.338 20
7. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos Team 1:46.603 + 1.400 14
8. Luiz Razia Trust Team Arden 1:46.660 + 1.457 25
9. Andreas Zuber FMS International 1:46.669 + 1.466 9
10. Mika Maki Trust Team Arden 1:46.725 + 1.522 24
11. Sakon Yamamoto ART Grand Prix 1:46.801 + 1.598 6
12. James Jakes Super Nova Racing 1:46.851 + 1.648 24
13. Earl Bamber My Team Qi-Meritus Mahara 1:47.031 + 1.828 14
14. Sergio Perez Barwa Campos Team 1:47.034 + 1.831 19
15. Hamad Al Fardan GFH Team iSport 1:47.075 + 1.872 23
16. Diego Nunes Piquet GP 1:47.111 + 1.908 25
17. Luca Filippi BCN Competicion 1:47.131 + 1.928 6
18. Nelson Philippe ART Grand Prix 1:47.221 + 2.018 12
19. Michael Herck DPR 1:47.226 + 2.023 19
20. Chris Van der Drift Trident Racing 1:47.438 + 2.235 21
21. Giacomo Ricci Trident Racing 1:47.640 + 2.437 13
22. Alex Yoong My Team Qi-Meritus Mahara 1:47.718 + 2.515 24
23. Ma Qing Hua DPR 1:48.044 + 2.841 16
24. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS International 1:50.637 + 5.434 15

Morning times:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:45.871 19 2. Sakon Yamamoto ART Grand Prix 1:46.071 + 0.200 36 3. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:46.447 + 0.576 33 4. Sergio Perez Barwa Campos Team 1:46.715 + 0.844 24 5. Giedo Van der Garde GFH Team iSport 1:46.719 + 0.848 8 6. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing 1:46.878 + 1.007 8 7. Hamad Al Fardan GFH Team iSport 1:46.958 + 1.087 26 8. Jerome D'Ambrosio Dams 1:47.013 + 1.142 15 9. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos Team 1:47.042 + 1.171 19 10. Mika Maki Trust Team Arden 1:47.189 + 1.318 26 11. Nelson Philippe ART Grand Prix 1:47.202 + 1.331 10 12. Andreas Zuber FMS International 1:47.227 + 1.356 28 13. James Jakes Super Nova Racing 1:47.263 + 1.392 10 14. Luiz Razia Trust Team Arden 1:47.484 + 1.613 39 15. Earl Bamber My Team Qi-Meritus Mahara 1:47.697 + 1.826 16 16. Luca Filippi BCN Competicion 1:47.844 + 1.973 8 17. Diego Nunes Piquet GP 1:48.115 + 2.244 31 18. Michael Herck DPR 1:48.555 + 2.684 7 19. Chris Van der Drift Trident Racing 1:48.559 + 2.688 22 20. Alex Yoong My Team Qi-Meritus Mahara 1:48.592 + 2.721 24 21. Hiroki Yoshimoto (*) BCN Competicion 1:48.858 + 2.987 17 22. Ma Qing Hua DPR 1:49.259 + 3.388 27 23. Giacomo Ricci Trident Racing 1:49.486 + 3.615 16 24. Hiroki Yoshimoto (*) Durango 1:50.148 + 4.277 3 25. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS International 1:51.331 + 5.460 23 26. Davide Valsecchi Durango 2:38.699 + 52.828 3 (*) Drove for both teams

Maldonado fastest in free practice

Kobayashi leads Shanghai test

Kobayashi leads Shanghai test

Toyota protege Kamui Kobayashi maintained his impressive form by topping the opening day of official testing for the second GP2 Asia Series.

Fresh from dominating the recent Paul Ricard test sessions, DAMS driver Kobayashi was quickest at Shanghai today as the teams geared up for the season-opening Chinese Grand Prix support races next weekend.

Kobayashi set a lap in 1:45.963 in the afternoon to beat second-placed compatriot Sakon Yamamoto (ART) by three tenths of a second, ahead of Piquet driver Roldan Rodriguez and Jerome D'Ambrosio in the second DAMS car.

Formula Renault 3.5 champion Giedo van der Garde was the best of the drivers without a GP2 start to their name in fifth place for former champions iSport.

Having caused a lengthy red flag after his Fisichella car deposited a large amount of oil on the circuit in the morning, Andreas Zuber took sixth later on.

Former Formula One and Champ Car driver Alex Yoong drove for the Meritus team, who plan to announce their 2008/9 season driver line-up after evaluating various contenders during this week's two-day test. Alongside Yoong, they also tried out Kiwi teenager Earl Bamber, who starred on his A1GP debut at Zandvoort last weekend.

Morning session:Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:47.361 11 2. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:47.389 20 3. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:47.397 21 4. Giedo Van der Garde GFH Team iSport 1:47.660 14 5. Luca Filippi BCN Competicion 1:48.032 12 6. Sakon Yamamoto ART Grand Prix 1:48.085 13 7. Nelson Philippe ART Grand Prix 1:48.091 27 8. Sergio Perez Barwa Int Campos Team 1:48.214 32 9. Mika Maki Trust Team Arden 1:48.218 26 10. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Intl Campos Team 1:48.229 13 11. Hamad Al Fardan GFH Team iSport 1:48.385 24 12. Michael Herck DPR 1:48.420 23 13. Yuhi Sekiguchi DPR 1:48.697 16 14. Andreas Zuber Fisichella Motor Sport 1:48.942 10 15. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 1:49.508 5 16. Chris Van der Drift Trident Racing 1:51.427 8 17. Kevin Nai Chia Chen Fisichella Motor Sport 1:52.646 24 18. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing 2:02.573 4 19. James Jakes Super Nova Racing 2:20.367 3 20 Alex Yoong My Team Qi-Meritus.Mahara 8:17.641 1 Afternoon session:Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:45.963 23 2. Sakon Yamamoto ART Grand Prix 1:46.255 25 3. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:46.491 14 4. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 1:46.540 39 5. Giedo Van der Garde GFH Team iSport 1:46.599 21 6. Andreas Zuber Fisichella Motor Sport 1:46.721 36 7. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:46.785 13 8. James Jakes Super Nova Racing 1:47.083 36 9. Vital y Petrov Barwa Int Campos Team 1:47.090 21 10. Mika Maki Trust Team Arden 1:47.126 13 11. Nelson Philippe ART Grand Prix 1:47.161 24 12. Sergio Perez Barwa Int Campos Team 1:47.169 16 13. Hamad Al Fardan GFH Team iSport 1:47.187 18 14. Michael Herck DPR 1:47.430 39 15. Yuhi Sekiguchi DPR 1:47.591 19 16. Alex Yoong My Team Qi-Meritus Mahara 1:47.979 35 17. Luca Filippi BCN Competicion 1:48.038 6 18. Earl Bamber My Team Qi-Meritus Mahara 1:48.065 18 19. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing 1:48.084 27 20 Giacomo Ricci Trident Racing 1:48.664 17 21. Chris Van der Drift Trident Racing 1:49.174 4 22. Kevin Nai Chia Chen Fisichella Motor Sport 1:51.518 16

Kobayashi dominates Paul Ricard test

Maldonado fastest in free practice

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

Van der Garde joins iSport

Newly-crowned Formula Renault 3.5 champion Giedo van der Garde will race for iSport in the upcoming GP2 Asia series.

The 23-year-old Dutchman, who took five wins for P1 Motorsport in the Renault series, also admitted that he has an option to drive for the team in next year's main series.

"Obviously I'm extremely pleased with this promotion," said van der Garde. "The GP2 is an important series when your target is Formula One.

"I really have to thank Paul Jackson for this opportunity and I can't wait to get back behind the wheel.

"We furthermore took an option to stick with the team for the GP2 main series, so let's hope it all goes well in Asia."

GP2 Asia kicks off with a double-header supporting the Chinese Grand Prix on October 18, meaning that van der Garde will not be able to race in the Renault 3.5 season finale in Barcelona on the same weekend.

Turvey to test for iSport

Gomez regaining fitness, lifting Rapids

GP2 organisers announce GP3 series

GP2 organisers announced on Friday the launch of the new GP3 series, which will kick off in 2010 and that will take place during GP2 race weekends.

In a brief statement, organisers said the new championship will be a "stepping-stone into GP2 Series".

The announcement comes just a day after Jonathan Palmer revealed full details of the relaunched FIA Formula Two championship, which will start next season.

It had previously been thought that the existing Formula Master championship, which runs as a support series to the World Touring Car Championship, would be rebranded GP3 and join the Formula One calendar next season, but now the GP2 bosses have announced that GP3 will be a new category featuring 250 horsepower single-seaters with two-litre engines, the same specification as FMaster, and will not appear for another year.

"The chassis, the engine and the tyres will be decided after a consultation with the manufacturers who have shown interest in supporting GP3," said a statement from the GP2 Series.

No more details were revealed, but GP2 boss Bruno Michel said he hoped GP3 would emulate the success of GP2.

"The philosophy behind GP3 Series will be very similar to what we did in GP2 regarding the performance of the car, the control of the costs, the show, the safety and the training to access to the following category, but adjusted to the level of this new Series," said Michel.

"We will make sure that this Series will be as successful as GP2 in revealing young drivers able to jump to the next step. We are looking forward to 2010!"

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone added: "After the tremendous success of the GP2 Series, I believe this GP3 Series will be an opportunity for drivers, engineers and mechanics who are making their way to Formula One. I wish good luck to this Series."

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Trident eye Karthikeyan, van der Drift

GP2 team Trident Racing are hoping to run former grand prix racer Narain Karthikeyan and Chris van der Drift in the next GP2 Asia and Main Series.

The Italian team, who scored a 1-2 in the main series sprint race at Monaco this season, tried out both drivers at last week's two-day test at Paul Ricard. Van der Drift finished the test as the second fastest GP2 rookie, while Karthikeyan's best was eighth overall on the second afternoon.

Trident's managing director, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, is looking to sign Karthikeyan for the Asian series and van der Drift for next season's championship.

"Chris is one of the brightest talents in motorsport and we've been following him for a long time," said Bravi.

"He showed an outstanding ability in his debut in a GP2 car. We really hope to sign him for a full Main Series season. He's working hard to find some good sponsors and come aboard as soon as possible.

"Narain had a strong run, too. He increased his feeling with a GP2 car after two seasons in A1GP where he was used to dealing with less downforce and steel brakes. He confirmed that he's be a great driver to work with in the imminent GP2 Asia Series."

Kobayashi dominates Paul Ricard test

Victory eases pressure for U.S.

Kobayashi dominates Paul Ricard test

Kamui Kobayashi dominated the second and final day of testing at the Paul Ricard circuit, where the Japanese was quickest for the second day running.

The Toyota test driver had already topped the times yesterday and was againg fastest for DAMS in today's sessions, posting the best time in the morning with a lap of 1:12.828.

Kobayashi was also fastest in the afternoon, before a heavy rainstorm hit the track, hindering the teams' progress.

Despite the rain, some teams continued with their work on the final day of testing before next month's session at Jerez.

Andreas Zuber was second fastest for Fisichella Motor Sport, with Davide Valsecchi third quickest for Durango.

Sam Bird was the best of the rookies with the fourth quickest time in the second DAMS car, ahead of fellow debutant Chris Van der Drift.

Twelve of the 13 teams teams will now begin preparing for the start of the GP2 Asia series, travelling to Shanghai for the first race on October 9.

The next GP2 Series test will take place at Jerez at the end of October.

Morning times:Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:12.828 34 2. Andreas Zuber FMS International 1:12.844 41 3. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:13.105 31 4. Sam Bird Dams 1:13.395 46 5. Chris Van der Drift Trident Racing 1:13.468 48 6. Luca Filippi DPR 1:13.483 39 7. Fabio Onidi Piquet Sports 1:13.491 33 8. Jerome D'Ambrosio Barwa Campos Team 1:13.507 34 9. Michael Herck DPR 1:13.532 47 10. Diego Nunes ART Grand Prix 1:13.587 36 11. Oliver Turvey iSport International 1:13.621 35 12. Luiz Razia Racing Engineering 1:13.796 39 13. Narain Karthikeyan Trident Racing 1:13.862 44 14. Koudai Tsukakoshi Trust Team Arden 1:13.884 53 15. Nelson Philippe ART Grand Prix 1:13.900 38 16. Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1:13.940 40 17. Alberto Valerio Super Nova Racing 1:14.063 50 18. Ho-Pin Tung Barwa Campos Team 1:14.117 30 19. Markus Niemela Racing Engineering 1:14.118 51 20. Milos Pavlovic Piquet Sports 1:14.296 44 21. Dani Clos BCN Competicion 1:14.314 45 22. Mika Maki Trust Team Arden 1:14.449 39 23. Marcus Ericsson iSport International 1:14.827 40 24. Vladimir Arabadzhiev Super Nova Racing 1:15.076 54 25. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS International 1:31.236 1 Afternoon times 1. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:13.266 25 2. Jerome D'Ambrosio Barwa Int. Campos Team 1:13.618 22 3. Luca Filippi DPR 1:13.725 26 4. Chris Van der Drift Trident Racing 1:13.761 21 5. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:13.788 23 6. Diego Nunes ART Grand Prix 1:13.852 42 7. Koudai Tsukakoshi Trust Team Arden 1:14.035 23 8. Narain Karthikeyan Trident Racing 1:14.211 18 9. Fabio Onidi Piquet Sports 1:14.220 27 10. Michael Herck DPR 1:14.268 42 11. Ho-Pin Tung Barwa Int. Campos Team 1:14.355 25 12. Marcus Ericsson iSport International 1:14.363 24 13. Mika Maki Trust Team Arden 1:14.419 23 14. Luiz Razia Racing Engineering 1:14.426 40 15. Dani Clos BCN Competicion 1:14.472 23 16. Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1:14.567 18 17. Nelson Philippe ART Grand Prix 1:14.626 29 18. Fabrizio Crestani Fisichella Motor Sport Int 1:14.638 28 19. James Jakes Dams 1:14.681 39 20. Markus Niemela Racing Engineering 1:14.745 41 21. Alberto Valerio Super Nova Racing 1:14.830 30 22. Milos Pavlovic Piquet Sports 1:14.924 23 23. Vladimir Arabadzhiev Super Nova Racing 1:15.530 14 24. Oliver Turvey iSport International 1:16.126 11

Kobayashi tops first session at Ricard

Maldonado fastest in free practice