GP2 HOT NEWS

Mortara beats Grosjean to sprint win

2009-05-17T15:26:00.009-07:00

Arden rookie Edoardo Mortara claimed victory in today's GP2 sprint race at Barcelona after withstanding sustained pressure from yesterday's feature race winner Romain Grosjean.

Mortara made an excellent start from third on the grid and led into the first corner but Grosjean had started equally strongly, climbing from eighth to third within the space of two laps, and then taking second from Jerome D'Ambrosio a couple of laps later.

At that point Mortara had a lead of 1.2 seconds, but Grosjean slowly ground that down and by lap 14 the Frenchman was within striking range. He made his move with a lunge at Turn 1, but Mortara was able to defend.

That would prove to be Grosjean's only genuine opportunity to pass, and Mortara gradually opened the gap again to eventually cross the line 1.5s clear.

D'Ambrosio did not have the pace to match the leaders but nor did he ever look in any real danger, and had a relatively quiet run to his second podium of the weekend. iSport's Giedo van der Garde had an equally solid if rather lonely run to fourth ahead of polesitter Kamui Kobayashi, who was never able to recover from a sluggish start.

The fight for the remaining points positions was considerably more heated. Super Nova's Luca Filippi got himself into sixth midway through the race, but as the laps ticked away the Italian was clearly struggling for pace and a queue quickly formed behind him.

ART's Pastor Maldonado, who had earlier had a lucky escape when he bumped team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, managed to get past and quickly vanished down the road, but Hulkenberg's hopes of doing the same were dashed when he spun following a touch from Diego Nunes.

Barwa Campos' Vitaly Petrov was also on target for points, but outbraked himself and fell behind the two ART cars while trying to pass Filippi.

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Edoardo Mortara Arden 39m55.235s 2. Romain Grosjean Barwa Campos + 1.251s 3. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS + 6.518s 4. Giedo van der Garde iSport + 14.638s 5. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS + 17.170s 6. Pastor Maldonado ART + 20.099s 7. Luca Filippi Super Nova + 28.971s 8. Diego Nunes iSport + 29.258s 9. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos + 29.433s 10. Lucas di Grassi Racing Engineering + 31.038s 11. Alvaro Parente Ocean + 32.026s 12. Luiz Razia Fisichella + 33.167s 13. Alberto Valerio Piquet + 33.789s 14. Nico Hulkenberg ART + 34.278s 15. Giacomo Ricci DPR + 38.913s 16. Davide Valsecchi Durango + 40.811s 17. Sergio Perez Arden + 42.258s 18. Nelson Panciatici Durango + 59.664s 19. Dani Clos Racing Engineering + 59.747s 20. Ricardo Teixeira Trident +1m00.052s 21. Davide Rigon Trident + 1 lap Retirements: Karun Chandhok Ocean 21 laps Javier Villa Super Nova 17 laps Michael Herck DPR 13 laps Andi Zuber Fisichella 8 laps Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 0 laps

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Grosjean pleased with strong start

2009-05-17T15:26:00.007-07:00

Romain Grosjean believes that the hard work put in between himself and his new team Barwa Addax was rewarded after he took pole position for tomorrow's opening race of the GP2 season at Barcelona, although he concedes that he still faces some difficult opposition.

Grosjean switched to the former Campos Racing squad for this season after spending his rookie year with ART, and says he and the team are starting to gel despite a tough start.

"We had the chance to work with each other in the Asia Series to see how each other was working and what we could improve, and today being on pole is something that is very good for all of us," he said. "Especially because it is the first race of the season and it means that everything is going well between the driver and the team.

"When you don't race you have some doubt, and when you first come you don't know what's going on. But testing was not fantastic, we had to see why that was. We worked very hard with the team and in the end it worked. This morning [in practice] we were fast and this afternoon we were fast again. So I think this is the best way to start the season."

Pre-season expectations were that Grosjean's main threat for the title would be Racing Engineering's Lucas di Grassi, and the Brazilian bore that out by qualifying second, falling just 0.021s short of Grosjean's time, while Grosjean's Barwa team-mate Vitaly Petrov will start from third.

"We were expecting Lucas to be here, he is here, and it is very good to have Vitaly here as well," Grosjean said. "Expectations? The best thing would be to win. Everybody knows it will be a tough and long race; we know that we will have to be careful with the tyres.

"I'm sure Lucas will be there again. But let's work with the team now and try to set up the car for tomorrow. It is going to be a long race, but I am really looking forward to it."

Renamed Addax team sign Grosjean

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Price concludes sale of DPR stake

2009-05-17T15:26:00.005-07:00

Veteran team owner David Price has confirmed the sale of his final shares in GP2 squad DPR to new owner Andre Herck.

Price, who has run the team since the advent of GP2 in 2005, will concentrate on driver management. It is unknown whether Herck will now rename the team, which runs his son Michael in the series.

The identity of Herck's team-mate for the main series, which kicks off at Barcelona next month, remains in flux as James Jakes, who tested for the team at Barcelona, is understood to have turned down a deal. Technical chief Andy Miller has also left the squad.

Price will continue to manage Diego Nunes, who has won the last two GP2 Asia feature races with Piquet GP, and switches to former series champions iSport for the main series.

Price is also going to monitor the budget-capped Formula 1 situation, and has not ruled out starting a new team in future.

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iSport sign van der Garde and Nunes

Razia scores maiden GP2 victory

2009-05-17T15:26:00.003-07:00

Luiz Razia converted his reverse grid pole position into a maiden GP2 victory in the Asia series finale in Bahrain today.

The Brazilian held his nerve through a safety car restart after a five-car crash at the start, and had the legs of second-placed David Rigon throughout the race.

The accident at the start was triggered when Roldan Rodriguez and Davide Valsecchi were taken out by Karun Chandhok and Pastor Maldonado, with Rodolfo Gonzalez also involved.

D'Ambrosio had moved up to fourth from sixth off the line and set about chasing Sakon Yamamoto once racing resumed. He caught and passed the Japanese driver and then chased down Rigon in the closing stages of the race to take second place.

Newly-crowned champion Kamui Kobayashi finished fifth, ahead of race one winner Diego Nunes who recovered to sixth after a making a mistake and losing a couple of places at the restart.

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Luiz Razia Arden 43m47.690s 2. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS +11.494s 3. David Rigon Trident +12.646s 4. Sakon Yamamoto ART +13.349s 5. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS +13.892s 6. Diego Nunes Piquet +19.362s 7. Giedo van der Garde iSport +23.183s 8. Marco Bonanomi Meritus +27.813s 9. Sergio Perez Barwa +31.989s 10. Giacomo Ricci DPR +34.428s 11. Vitaly Petrov Barwa +36.252s 12. Javier Villa Super Nova +36.666s 13. Alvaro Parente Meritus +37.230s 14. James Jakes Super Nova +39.266s 15. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean +41.122s 16. Edoardo Mortara Arden +42.111s 17. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport +52.089s 18. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS +1m05.417s 19. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango +1m10.175s Retirements Michael Herck DPR 16 laps Ricardo Teixeira Trident 13 laps Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 0 laps Karun Chandhok Ocean 0 laps Davide Valsecchi Durango 0 laps Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS 0 laps Pastor Maldonado ART 0 laps Fastest lap, D'Ambrosio 1m46.648s on lap 6

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Piquet team on top after practice

2009-05-17T15:26:00.001-07:00

The Piquet GP team set the pace in the first practice session for this weekend's GP2 Asia season finale in Bahrain.

Diego Nunes and Roldan Rodriguez were first and second fastest, and set the best laptime, nearly half a second clear of the rest of the field. Rodriguez was able to match his team-mate's time despite missing half the session while the team fixed an ignition problem.

Luiz Razia was third quickest for Arden, with Alvaro Parente's Meritus car fourth. The title protagonists were next up, chaser Davide Valsecchi just a whisker quicker than points leader Kamui Kobayashi.

Edoardo Mortara made it two Ardens in the first seven, ahead of Jerome D'Ambrosio's DAMS car, with James Jakes (Super Nova) and Marco Bonanomi (Meritus) completing the top 10.

Vitaly Petrov completed just two laps of the session before stopping his car with an electrical gremlin.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Diego Nunes Piquet 1m44.290s 2. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1m44.290s 3. Luiz Razia Arden 1m44.768s +0.478 4. Alvaro Parente Meritus 1m44.805s +0.515 5. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1m44.827s +0.537 6. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1m44.881s +0.591 7. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1m44.943s +0.653 8. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 1m45.012s +0.722 9. James Jakes Super Nova 1m45.181s +0.891 10. Marco Bonanomi Meritus 1m45.227s +0.937 11. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1m45.338s +1.048 12. Michael Herck DPR 1m45.382s +1.092 13. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1m45.553s +1.263 14. Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS 1m45.567s +1.277 15. Sergio Perez Barwa 1m45.594s +1.304 16. Javier Villa Super Nova 1m45.628s +1.338 17. Davide Rigon Trident 1m45.871s +1.581 18. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1m45.891s +1.601 19. Pastor Maldonado ART 1m45.941s +1.651 20. Fabio Crestani Ocean 1m46.351s +2.061 21. Karun Chandhok Ocean 1m46.756s +2.466 22. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1m46.886s +2.596 23. Ricardo Teixeira Trident 1m47.730s +3.440 24. Kevin Chen FMS 1m48.392s +4.102 25. Michael Della Stelle Durango 1m50.378s +6.088 26. Vitaly Petrov Barwa 2m02.117s +17.827

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Petrov wins wet Sepang GP2 sprint

2009-04-05T06:30:00.007-07:00

Vitaly Petrov put in a faultless performance to win a tricky wet GP2 Asia sprint race at Sepang.

The start was delayed by around half an hour after a monsoon swept across the track as the cars went to the grid. The race was eventually started behind the safety car, with Sakon Yamamoto having been pushed into the pitlane failing to get away.

The field ran a full four laps under caution before it was released on a track that was still well and truly soaked.

Pastor Maldonado gave pole man David Valsecchi a tap at the last corner even before they took the green flag, but both survived and Valsecchi held on to the lead in the difficult conditions. James Jakes was an early victim of the conditions, spinning off on the first flying lap.

On the second racing lap both Maldonado and Vitaly Petrov slipped past Valsecchi, and the pair gradually dropped the Italian.

Petrov then took the lead in a neat move, and with the track gradually drying out, he stayed there to the flag, steadily edging away until the race was ended a couple of laps early when the time limit clicked in.

Behind Maldonado and Valsecchi, Saturday sprint winner Diego Nunes moved up from eighth on the grid to fourth, while Hamad Al Fardan put in a solid drive to fifth.

The final point went to Sergio Perez, who snuck ahead of Kamui Kobayashi in a cheeky move at the last corner.

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos 45:41.349 2. Pastor Maldonado ART + 2.914 3. Davide Valsecchi Durango + 4.339 4. Diego Nunes Piquet + 6.357 5. Hamad Al Fardan iSport + 21.539 6. Sergio Perez Barwa Campos + 24.489 7. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS + 24.522 8. Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS + 26.108 9. Alvaro Parente Qi-Meritus + 26.956 10. Giedo van der Garde iSport + 35.725 11. Yelmer Buurman ORT + 37.306 12. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet + 37.683 13. Davide Rigon Trident + 44.390 14. Marco Bonanomi Qi-Meritus + 46.358 15. Giacomo Ricci Trident + 47.818 16. Fabrizio Crestani ORT + 48.476 17. Edoardo Mortara Arden + 48.640 18. Javier Villa Super Nova +1:09.849 19. Ricardo Teixeira Trident +1:21.557 20. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango +1:56.537 RetirementsDriver Team Laps Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 14 Sakon Yamamoto ART 14 Michael Herck DPR 9 Luiz Razia Arden 9 Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 5 James Jakes Super Nova 4

D’Ambrosio bags pole at Sepang

Nunes takes first GP2 win for Piquet

2009-04-05T06:30:00.005-07:00

Diego Nunes gave the Piquet GP team an impressive victory in the GP2 Asia feature race at Sepang, watched by both Nelson Piquet Sr and Jr.

There was drama even before the start when pole man Jerome D'Ambrosio returned to the pitlane after a problem with the DAMS car. He failed to make the start, leaving Nunes effectively on pole. Alongside him James Jakes got away sluggishly, while immediately behind the Briton his team-mate Javier Villa failed to get away at all.

Miraculously everybody made it past the stranded Spaniard, although there were some close calls. From 16th Giedo Van der Garde was adjudged to have jumped the start, and the iSport man soon got a drive through for his troubles.

Helped by the trouble behind, Nunes shot into the lead at the start, and soon opened a comfortable cushion over Vitaly Petrov and Kamui Kobayashi, while Jakes soon passed Yelmer Buurman and Pastor Maldonado to get into fourth.

Petrov was clearly slow, and a frustrated Kobayashi got out of his slipstream with an early stop on lap seven. Jakes then passed Petrov for second, but by then Nunes was long gone.

Petrov and Jakes both made their pitstops before leader Nunes came in on lap 13. That put Hamad Al Fardan into lead, the iSport driver having not yet stopped, and he remained in front until a relatively late stop on lap 18.

That handed the lead back to Nunes, and he stayed safely ahead to the flag, clinching his first GP2 win.

The early stop had ensured Kobayashi stayed ahead of Jakes, but the Japanese driver soon came under pressure from the Super Nova car, but Jakes couldn't quite find an opportunity to pass.

A late stop gained Roldan Rodriguez some ground and got him up to fourth, ahead of Buurman, Petrov and Maldonado. The latter had a couple of moments during a typically scrappy race, and was pushing Petrov hard in the closing stages, while Davide Velsecchi caught them both and claimed the final point after a delay in his stop.

Results to follow

D'Ambrosio bags pole at Sepang

2009-04-05T06:30:00.003-07:00

Jerome D'Ambrosio took pole position for the first GP2 Asia race at a hot and muggy Sepang today.

It was two-by-two in morning practice when Kamui Kobayashi edged out DAMS team mate D'Ambrosio by 0.2s, while Roldan Rodriguez and Diego Nunes were third and fourth for Piquet GP.

But D'Ambrosio showed the better form of the two DAMS drivers in the afternoon, securing pole with a lap of 1m45.410s.

Incredibly, just 0.9s covered the top 22 drivers on what is a quite a long lap, while the top 10 was within 0.4s.

Nunes will share the front row with D'Ambrosio, while James Jakes had a good run to third for Super Nova, despite a spin. Kobayashi had to be content with fourth place, ahead of Javier Villa and Vitaly Petrov.

ART had a low key day with Pastor Maldonado eighth and Sakon Yamamoto only 15th. Returning to the series, Alvaro Parente took 10th for the local Meritus outfit. Bahrain sprint race winner Sergio Perez is only 18th.

Because of the changed schedule for the grand prix, the Saturday race starts at noon local time, before the first F1 practice session, rather than after qualifying as is usual.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 1:45.410 2. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:45.522 +0.112 3. James Jakes Super Nova 1:45.527 +0.117 4. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:45.577 +0.167 5. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:45.649 +0.239 6. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Addax 1:45.720 +0.310 7. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:45.748 +0.338 8. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:45.755 +0.345 9. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:45.767 +0.357 10. Alvaro Parente Meritus 1:45.816 +0.406 11. Yelmer Buurman Ocean 1:45.954 +0.544 12. Davide Rigon Trident 1:45.978 +0.568 13. Luiz Razia Arden 1:45.989 +0.579 14. Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS 1:46.053 +0.643 15. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:46.087 +0.677 16. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:46.105 +0.695 17. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean 1:46.108 +0.698 18. Sergio Perez Barwa Addax 1:46.169 +0.759 19. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:46.184 +0.774 20. Michael Herck DPR 1:46.259 +0.849 21. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1:46.265 +0.855 22. Marco Bonanomi Meritus 1:46.315 +0.905 23. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:46.604 +1.194 24. Ricardo Teixeira Trident 1:47.838 +2.428 25. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:49.642 +4.232 26. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango 1:49.857 +4.447

Petrov wins wet Sepang GP2 sprint

Kobayashi tops Malaysia practice

2009-04-05T06:30:00.001-07:00

GP2 Asia Series leader and Toyota Formula 1 test driver Kamui Kobayashi set the pace in practice for rounds nine and ten of the series in Malaysia on Friday morning.

The Japanese driver set a time of 1:46.432, 0.15 seconds faster than team-mate Jerome d'Ambrosio as the DAMS squad locked out the top spots ahead of Piquet GP's Roldan Rodriguez and Diego Nunes.

Vitaly Petrov was fifth for Barwa, while David Valsecchi ensured the top six were covered by less than half a second.

Alvaro Parente placed seventh for Meritus, though his team-mate Marco Bonanomi endured a miserable session, completing just one lap following an electrical problem.

Edoardo Mortara, Sergio Perez and series returnee Pastor Maldonado completed the top ten.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kobayashi Dams 1:46.432 15 2. D'Ambrosio Dams 1:46.667 + 0.235 14 3. Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:46.717 + 0.285 15 4. Nunes Piquet GP 1:46.742 + 0.310 14 5. Petrov Barwa International Campos 1:46.760 + 0.328 12 6. Valsecchi Durango 1:46.843 + 0.411 15 7. Parente My Team Qi-Meritus Mahara 1:46.912 + 0.480 7 8. Mortara Trust Team Arden 1:46.984 + 0.552 14 9. Perez Barwa International Campos 1:47.036 + 0.604 13 10. Maldonado ART Grand Prix 1:47.156 + 0.724 13 11. Villa Super Nova Racing 1:47.287 + 0.855 16 12. Razia Trust Team Arden 1:47.471 + 1.039 14 13. Al Fardan GFH Team iSport 1:47.667 + 1.235 14 14. Jakes Super Nova Racing 1:47.701 + 1.269 12 15. Rigon Trident Racing 1:47.831 + 1.399 15 16. Buurman Ocean Racing Technology 1:47.840 + 1.408 15 17. Van der Garde GFH Team iSport 1:47.843 + 1.411 14 18. Yamamoto ART Grand Prix 1:47.948 + 1.516 13 19. Crestani Ocean Racing Technology 1:48.097 + 1.665 16 20. Gonzalez Fisichella Motor Sport 1:48.374 + 1.942 10 21. Ricci DPR 1:48.417 + 1.985 15 22. Herck DPR 1:48.498 + 2.066 15 23. Teixeira Trident Racing 1:49.649 + 3.217 14 24. Dalle Stelle Durango 1:50.036 + 3.604 16 25. Nai Chia Chen Fisichella Motor Sport 1:50.413 + 3.981 10 26. Bonanomi My Team Qi-Meritus Mahara No time 1

D’Ambrosio bags pole at Sepang

Parente rejoins Meritus for Sepang

2009-03-28T15:45:00.001-07:00

Alvaro Parente is to rejoin the Meritus team for the forthcoming Sepang GP2 Asia races.

The Portuguese driver has been invited back after a one-off outing in the Qatar night event last month, where he set a fastest lap despite various dramas confining him to the midfield in both races.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to drive again for My Team Qi-Meritus.Mahara at its home race," said Parente.

"I last drove on the Malaysian track in 2005 in the first season of A1GP. I have a record to set straight though after a flat tyre ruined my strong race then."

He is confident that he can get Meritus amongst the front-runners at Sepang.

"This race I want to fight for the front of the grid and for the win," he said.

Parente has already signed for Ocean Racing Technology for this year's main GP2 Series, and was fastest on the second day of this week's Barcelona test.

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Villa quickest as Barcelona test ends

2009-03-26T14:34:00.001-07:00

Javier Villa topped the final day of the last GP2 pre-season test at Barcelona today.

The Spaniard, who is beginning his fourth year of GP2, has switched from Racing Engineering to Super Nova for 2009 and set the best time of the day, ahead of former Super Nova racer Alvaro Parente, who set the pace yesterday following his move to Ocean Racing.

"The morning session was very good, we all went out to do qualifying simulations and I set the best time," said Villa. "In the afternoon we did a race simulation and some pit stop tests to finish the test.

"I think that we have worked very well throughout these days and to finish with the best time, and always being ahead, proves it."

Fellow fourth year GP2 racers Lucas di Grassi and Luca Filippi were third and fourth quickest respectively for Racing Engineering and Super Nova, with Romain Grosjean (Barwa Addax) and Roldan Rodriguez (Piquet GP) completing the top six.

Giedo van der Garde was first of the Main Series rookies in seventh, ahead of Asia Series championship leader Kamui Kobayashi.

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:26.696 2. Alvaro Parente Ocean 1:26.735 3. Lucas di Grassi Racing Engineering 1:26.858 4. Luca Filippi Super Nova 1:26.882 5. Romain Grosjean Barwa Addax 1:26.903 6. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:26.913 7. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:27.026 8. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:27.088 9. Sergio Perez Arden 1:27.155 10. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:27.247 11. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:27.316 12. Andi Zuber FMS 1:27.349 13. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Addax 1:27.369 14. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:27.525 15. Michael Herck DPR 1:27.665 16. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:27.673 17. Dani Clos Racing Engineering 1:27.699 18. James Jakes DPR 1:27.796 19. Alberto Valerio Piquet GP 1:27.877 20. Davide Rigon Trident 1:27.899 21. Nelson Panciatici Durango 1:27.995 22. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:28.033 23. Diego Nunes iSport 1:28.127 24. Karun Chandhok Ocean 1:28.273 25. Luiz Razia FMS 1:28.609 26. Ricardo Teixeira Trident 1:29.728

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Parente dominates Barcelona test

2009-03-24T16:10:00.001-07:00

Portuguese Alvaro Parente dominated the second day of GP2 testing at the Barcelona circuit on Tuesday.

On a sunny day at the Spanish track, Parente finished on top of the times both in the morning and the afternoon sessions, showing strong form in his first test as an official driver for the Ocean Racing Technology team.

Parente finished ahead of yesterday's pace-setter Lucas di Grassi, who was just 0.032 seconds slower in the Racing Engineering car.

Italian Davide Valsecchi was third fastest for Durango, with ART's Nico Hulkenberg and iSport's Giedo Van der Garde completing the top five.

The ORT team completed a good day thanks to Karun Chandhok finishing in sixth ahead of rookie Dani Clos.

A total of 18 drivers finished within a second of each other.

The three-day test comes to an end tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Alvaro Parente Ocean Racing Technology 1:26.948 23 2. Lucas Di Grassi Racing Engineering 1:26.980 +0.032 31 3. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:27.101 +0.153 19 4. Nico Hulkenberg ART Grand Prix 1:27.116 +0.168 30 5. Giedo Van der Garde iSport International 1:27.269 +0.321 20 6. Karun Chandhok Ocean Racing Technology 1:27.309 +0.361 36 7. Dani Clos Racing Engineering 1:27.350 +0.402 22 8. Pastor Maldonado ART Grand Prix 1:27.394 +0.446 31 9. Jerome D Ambrosio Dams 1:27.407 +0.459 23 10. Luca Filippi Super Nova Racing 1:27.534 +0.586 32 11. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:27.553 +0.605 30 12. Romain Grosjean Barwa Campos Team 1:27.634 +0.686 27 13. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:27.686 +0.738 23 14. Edoardo Mortara Telmex Arden International 1:27.686 +0.738 27 15. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing 1:27.744 +0.796 31 16. Andreas Zuber FMS International 1:27.823 +0.875 22 17. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos Team 1:27.828 +0.880 29 18. Diego Nunes iSport International 1:27.858 +0.910 31 19. James Jakes DPR 1:28.043 +1.095 26 20. Michael Herck DPR 1:28.158 +1.210 19 21. Nelson Panciatici Durango 1:28.184 +1.236 32 22. Sergio Perez Telmex Arden International 1:28.223 +1.275 28 23. Davide Rigon Trident Racing 1:28.513 +1.565 37 24. Luiz Luiz Razia FMS International 1:29.098 +2.150 32 25. Alberto Valerio Piquet GP 1:29.222 +2.274 19 26. Ricardo Teixeira Trident Racing 1:30.893 +3.945 24

Five-run second propels Dodgers

Di Grassi tops Barcelona GP2 test

Di Grassi stays on top in Ricard test

Di Grassi tops Barcelona GP2 test

2009-03-23T16:04:00.003-07:00

Lucas di Grassi was fastest again as GP2 testing resumed at Barcelona.

The series returnee, now driving for the Racing Engineering squad that took Giorgio Pantano to last year's title, was quickest by three tenths of a second.

Alvaro Parente was a highly impressive second for Tiago Monteiro's Ocean Racing Technology team, which had struggled for pace in its previous BCN guise. The former World Series by Renault and British Formula 3 champion had been fastest of all in the morning session.

DAMS driver Jerome D'Ambrosio was third, ahead of Campos Racing's Vitaly Petrov and ART duo Pastor Maldonado and Vitaly Petrov.

Only three seats are unaccounted for in this year's main GP2 Series, but both teams involved tried out potential drivers in today's test.

Trident Racing - which has yet to sign a driver for either of its cars - re-called Superleague Formula star Davide Rigon for a second outing, and also tested F3 graduate Ricardo Teixeira.

F3 Euro Series frontrunner James Jakes was in action for DPR, the other team still searching for a driver. Michael Herck has already been confirmed for the team, but its second car is currently empty.

The Barcelona test, which runs until Wednesday, is the final practice opportunity prior to the start of the GP2 season.

Monday's combined testing times:

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Lucas di Grassi Racing Engineering 1:27.471 2. Alvaro Parente Ocean 1:27.733 3. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:27.854 4. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:27.897 5. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:27.936 6. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:27.973 7. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:28.036 8. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:28.077 9. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:28.123 10. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:28.159 11. Luca Filippi Super Nova 1:28.200 12. Alberto Valerio Piquet 1:28.435 13. Karun Chandhok Ocean 1:28.474 14. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:28.566 15. Diego Nunes iSport 1:28.608 16. Sergio Perez Arden 1:28.627 17. Dani Clos Racing Engineering 1:28.675 18. Andreas Zuber Fisichella 1:28.790 19. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:28.806 20. Michael Herck DPR 1:28.850 21. Romain Grosjean Campos 1:28.910 22. Nelson Panciatici Durango 1:28.925 23. Davide Rigon Trident 1:29.761 24. Luiz Razia Fisichella 1:29.805 25. James Jakes DPR 1:30.088 26. Ricardo Teixeira Trident 1:34.105

Di Grassi leads the way at Paul Ricard

Di Grassi stays on top in Ricard test

GP2 boss dismisses F2 threat

2009-03-23T16:04:00.001-07:00

GP2 Series boss Bruno Michel is confident that the recently-launched Formula 2 Championship is not a threat to his category.

The FIA has revived F2 as a lower-cost route to Formula 1, but while GP2 runs on the grand prix support package, most of the F2 dates are at World Touring Car Championship meetings.

Michel believes that this alliance with F1 and the higher performance level of the GP2 cars give his championship a clear advantage over its new rival.

When asked if he saw F2 as a threat, Michel replied: "Absolutely not ... running alongside F1 and the high level of performance of our cars, no category can compete with GP2 as a feeder series to Formula 1.

"In reality, the F2 grid has hurt other categories that usually feed the GP2 Series, but not us. Drivers with 2010 F1 ambitions know that they unquestionably have to compete in GP2 this season and nowhere else.

"Moreover, the fact that some F2 drivers will be given a Superlicense will not make them F1 drivers. For a driver to move into F1, they first have to get noticed by F1 team principals. There is no better place than GP2 to achieve that.

"Our championship is the final step for drivers before Formula 1 whereas F2 will probably become a feeder category for GP2."

Despite the economic downturn, both GP2 and F2 expect to have full fields this year. F2 has filled all 24 places on its grid, and 23 drivers have already secured GP2 seats, with the remaining three deals set to be finalised shortly.

GP2 remains significantly more expensive than F2, but has taken steps to reduce its costs this year. However Michel said that his series would not bill itself as a 'low budget' option.

"We have taken important measures such as mid-season test cancellation, wind tunnel testing interruption, staff limitations and a significant decrease in the cost of some parts - to name a few," he said.

"Between these measures and the fact that 2008 has been an expensive year for our teams [with the introduction of the Asia Series and a new GP2 car], their budget for 2009 should be cut down by 20 per cent overall.

"The GP2 Series remains one the most viable championship that exists. The cost control that we put in place since its inception has been efficient and successful.

"However, putting things into perspectives, although it cannot be considered as a low-priced series, one must not forget that our car is an extremely complex and competitive machine."

GP2 organisers announce GP3 series

Panciatici joins Durango line-up

2009-03-22T03:05:00.001-07:00

Durango has completed its GP2 Series line-up by signing French driver Nelson Panciatici.

The 20-year-old Formula Renault graduate has already tested for the team during the winter.

"When, two months ago, I went to Durango for the first time I immediately felt at home," said Panciatici. "After last week's tests this persuasion became certainty.

"I am in the right team. I am very happy because, even considering how difficult the next season will be and how many difficult things I must learn, for sure Durango will deliver me all the necessary support."

Team boss Ivane Pinton added: "I kept an eye on Nelson during the last seasons, he was my first choice for the Durango 2009 GP2 campaign.

Panciatici joins Davide Valsecchi in the Durango line-up. His signing means that only the two Trident drives and one DPR seat remain to be filled.

Kobayashi on top in Paul Ricard test

Dan Plesac joins MLB Network

Di Grassi stays on top in Ricard test

2009-03-14T09:47:00.001-07:00

Lucas di Grassi remained quickest on the final day of this week's GP2 test at Paul Ricard.

As the teams switched to the French track's short 2D layout for day three, Racing Engineering driver di Grassi's 1:09.536 lap from the morning session stood as the day's benchmark.

Vitaly Petrov (Campos) was second, 0.122 seconds behind the former Renault Formula 1 test driver.

Andreas Zuber completed the top three for Fisichella Motor Sport, following by ART's Pastor Maldonando and Wednesday pace-setter Javier Villa (Super Nova).

Alberto Valerio continued the improved form he has demonstrated since joining the Piquet team by taking sixth place, while Alvaro Parente showed promising pace for Tiago Montiago's Ocean Racing Technology squad, ending a tough week with seventh position today.

The second pre-season GP2 test takes place at Barcelona in a fortnight.

Friday's combined times:

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Lucas di Grassi Racing Engineering 1:09.536 2. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:09.658 3. Andreas Zuber Fisichella 1:09.663 4. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:09.691 5. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:09.875 6. Alberto Valerio Piquet 1:09.920 7. Alvaro Parente Ocean 1:09.941 8. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:09.968 9. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:09.980 10. Dani Clos Racing Engineering 1:09.981 11. Michael Herck DPR 1:09.982 12. Luca Filippi Super Nova 1:10.054 13. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:10.054 14. Romain Grosjean Campos 1:10.080 15. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:10.195 16. Sergio Perez Arden 1:10.204 17. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:10.235 18. Davide Rigon Trident 1:10.257 19. Karun Chandhok Ocean 1:10.274 20. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:10.419 21. Diego Nunes iSport 1:10.553 22. Hamad Al Fardan Trident 1:10.612 23. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:10.732 24. Luiz Razia Fisichella 1:10.749 25. Nelson Panciatici Durango 1:10.861 26. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:10.864

Villa sets record pace in Ricard test

Di Grassi leads the way at Paul Ricard

2009-03-12T16:08:00.005-07:00

Lucas di Grassi moved to the top of times on the second day of GP2 testing at the Paul Ricard circuit.

The Brazilian, second quickest yesterday, shot to the head of the timesheets in the afternoon session, with a best lap of 1:08.841.

Di Grassi, who yesterday made his debut with the Racing Engineering team, finished less than a tenth ahead of rookie team-mate Dani Clos, who completed a promising day, having also shone in the morning.

Pastor Maldonado was third fastest for ART Grand Prix, with Roman Grosjean, who topped the times in the morning, having to settle for fourth place with Campos.

Yesterday's pace-setter Javier Villa was down in fifth today.

The layout used for today's session was the 2A, which includes a long straight the teams used to work on their high speed configurations and engine mapping.

The test continues tomorrow.

Morning times:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Romain Grosjean Barwa Campos Team 1:09.015 34 2. Dani Clos Fat Burner Racing Engineering 1:09.047 43 3. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing 1:09.077 33 4. Pastor Maldonado ART Grand Prix 1:09.122 41 5. Michael Herck DPR 1:09.169 37 6. Lucas Di Grassi Fat Burner Racing Engineering 1:09.180 33 7. Alvaro Parente Ocean Racing Technology 1:09.215 35 8. Andreas Zuber Fisichella Motor Sport Int. 1:09.221 38 9. Jerome d'Ambrosio Dams 1:09.335 38 10. Nico Hulkenberg ART Grand Prix 1:09.335 41 11. Luca Filippi Super Nova Racing 1:09.367 45 12. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:09.417 38 13. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:09.422 36 14. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:09.524 36 15. Alberto Valerio Piquet GP 1:09.525 36 16. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos Team 1:09.567 19 17. Karun Chandhok Ocean Racing Technology 1:09.576 31 18. Diego Nunes iSport International 1:09.578 57 19. Giedo Van der Garde iSport International 1:09.653 33 20. Edoardo Mortara Telmex Arden International 1:09.769 25 21. Hamad Al Fardan Trident Racing 1:09.811 35 22. Luiz Razia Fisichella Motor Sport Int. 1:10.102 45 23. Davide Rigon Trident Racing 1:10.393 52 24. Sergio Perez Telmex Arden International 1:10.466 32

Afternoon times:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Lucas Di Grassi Racing Engineering 1:08.841 39 2. Dani Clos Racing Engineering 1:08.961 44 3. Pastor Maldonado ART Grand Prix 1:08.985 33 4. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing 1:09.076 38 5. Vitaly Petrov Campos Team 1:09.100 30 6. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 1:09.220 46 7. Nico Hulkenberg ART Grand Prix 1:09.326 30 8. Jerome D Ambrosio Dams 1:09.383 30 9. Romain Grosjean Campos Team 1:09.424 38 10. Davide Rigon Trident Racing 1:09.429 41 11. Luca Filippi Super Nova Racing 1:09.437 35 12. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:09.469 31 13. Alberto Valerio Piquet GP 1:09.527 30 14. Karun Chandhok Ocean Racing Technology 1:09.564 25 15. Andreas Zuber FMS International 1:09.564 13 16. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:09.598 17 17. Hamad Al Fardan Trident Racing 1:09.604 45 18. Sergio Perez Arden International 1:09.649 42 19. Diego Nunes iSport International 1:09.815 37 20. Michael Herck DPR 1:09.831 33 21. Giedo Van der Garde iSport International 1:10.170 37 22. Nelson Panciatici Durango 1:10.231 28 23. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:10.604 24

Rodriguez leads wet final test day

Long balls lead Dodgers in Game 1

Kobayashi on top in Paul Ricard test

Villa sets record pace in Ricard test

2009-03-12T16:08:00.003-07:00

Super Nova's Javier Villa set a new GP2 lap record at Paul Ricard on the opening day of the first pre-season test.

The Spaniard, who has switched to Super Nova after three years with Racing Engineering, was quickest in both the morning and afternoon sessions, with his time of 1:11.930 after lunch breaking Romain Grosjean's previous record by 0.101 seconds.

Returnee Lucas di Grassi was second quickest today, 0.149 seconds down on Villa's time in his debut run with Racing Engineering.

GP2 Asia points leader Kamui Kobayashi completed the top three for DAMS, ahead of Campos Racing's Romain Grosjean and ART's Pastor Maldonado.

The test was the first chance for the teams to try the GP2 Dallara-Renault's new engine, which offers an additional 25bhp and an improved power curve.

Series technical director Didier Perrin was satisfied with the new package's performance.

"We are very pleased with today's results," he said. "They confirm our predictions regarding the gain of performance we were expecting with the new engine. Moreover, we did not suffer from any serious reliability issues."

Day one combined testing times:

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:11.930 2. Lucas di Grassi Racing Engineering 1:12.079 3. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:12.140 4. Romain Grosjean Campos 1:12.262 5. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:12.270 6. Andreas Zuber Fisichella 1:12.300 7. Alberto Valerio Piquet 1:12.439 8. Luca Filippi Super Nova 1:12.481 9. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:12.509 10. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:12.574 11. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:12.607 12. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:12.742 13. Diego Nunes iSport 1:12.774 14. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:12.893 15. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:13.010 16. Dani Clos Racing Engineering 1:13.138 17. Sergio Perez Arden 1:13.182 18. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:13.221 19. Karun Chandhok Ocean 1:13.356 20 Davide Rigon Trident 1:13.362 21. Hamad Al Fardan Trident 1:13.477 22. Luiz Razia Fisichella 1:13.584 23. Michael Herck DPR 1:13.788 24. Nelson Panciatici Durango 1:13.860 25. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:14.961 26. Alvaro Parente Ocean

Five-run second propels Dodgers

Di Grassi leads the way at Paul Ricard

Kobayashi on top in Paul Ricard test

Perez aims for GP2 title with Arden

2009-03-12T16:08:00.001-07:00

Sergio Perez believes he can challenge for the GP2 title after finalising to move to Arden for the main series.

The British Formula 3 graduate has taken two wins and a second place with Campos in the last three GP2 Asia rounds, and reckons he can show similar form in the full championship.

"Driving for a team such as Arden represents a great opportunity for me and I am really looking forward to it," said Perez.

"Together, I believe we have great potential to mount a serious title challenge - and that has to be our goal. It is going to be an extremely tough, competitive season and I aim to make the most of the chance I have been given at an important stage of my career.

"It is fantastic for Mexico to have a driver so close to F1, but I know I need to do a very good job to make it all the way to the top. I will give 100 per cent in and out of the car to help the team and fight for the championship."

Former Formula 3000 champions Arden have won races in every GP2 season, but haven't mounted a title challenge since their driver Heikki Kovalainen was narrowly beaten to the inaugural GP2 crown by Nico Rosberg in 2005.

Arden have also confirmed that their GP2 Asia Edoardo Mortara will stay on for the rest of the season, as predicted by autosport.com earlier this year.

"This is a very professional team that knows how to win races," said Mortara. "I'm already competing with them in the GP2 Asia Series and we're working really well together, so stepping up to the main championship should be straightforward."

Mortara to test for Arden, Trident

Arden sign Razia, Maki for GP2 Asia

Filippi returns to Super Nova

2009-03-12T16:07:00.003-07:00

The Super Nova team have confirmed Luca Filippi will partner Adrian Villa during the GP2 main series this year.

Italian Filippi, who raced for ART Grand Prix in 2008, will thus return to the team for whom he drove for in GP2 back in 2007, when he finished in fourth place in the standings.

"I am really pleased to be back at Super Nova because this is what I really wanted since the last test at Paul Ricard and since then we have been working really hard to finalize a deal," said the 23-year-old at Paul Ricard, where he will be testing tomorrow.

"And now we have I only want to better the 2007 year we had together, I can see the potential of the team and how hard they are all working to make 2009 great year and I couldn't wish for a better place to be this year."

Filippi will be driving alongside Spaniard Villa, who was confirmed at the team earlier his month.

Team boss David Sears added: "We are extremely pleased to announce both our drivers for the GP2 2009 season. It's fantastic that Javier Villa got to know the team in the Asia Series and is coming with us into the Main Series.

"We welcome Luca Filippi back, as he has had more success with our GP2 team than any other, when he was with us two years ago!"

Super Nova retain Villa for main series

Parente completes ORT line-up

2009-03-12T16:07:00.001-07:00

Alvaro Parente will race for the Ocean Racing Technology team in this year's GP2 championship, it was announced on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Portuguese made his GP2 debut with Super Nova last year and went on to finish in eighth place after one win and four podium finishes.

He will join Ocean Racing Technology, also from Portugal, for the main series this year.

"I'm very pleased to be with Ocean Racing Technology, because I believe in the team's potentialities and I was very well welcomed by everybody," said Parente.

"I feel confident that this team will allow me to give another step in my career. Besides, this is a project with a Portuguese flavour, which is something that makes it special and pleases me."

He added: "My goal for the 2009 season is to fight for the top places in every race. After what was, in my opinion, a positive debut season, I feel more prepared and I'm certain that Ocean Racing Team will give me all the condition to achieve my aims."

Parente, who will partner Indian Karun Chandhok at the team, will have his first test with ORT tomorrow in testing at Paul Ricard.

ORT sign Chandhok for main series

MLB Network signs Vasgersian

Rough start sinks Moyer, Phils in LA

Valerio moves to Piquet GP2 squad

2009-03-04T12:51:00.001-08:00

Alberto Valerio has signed with the Piquet team for his second season in the GP2 Series.

The 23-year-old Brazilian was a midfield runner with Durango last year, taking a best result of seventh in Turkey. He had previously contested GP2 Asia with the team, and made a brief appearance for Trident in the current Asian series before picking Piquet for his main championship campaign.

"I think Piquet GP is an extremely competitive team and I'm sure that together with the technical staff I will improve race after race," said Valerio.

Piquet team boss Felipe Vargas hopes they can help Valerio regain the form that took him to the 2005 South American Formula 3 title.

"Alberto has shown great potential in other categories and when he tested with us at the end of last year," Vargas said. "I think we can be competitive together and hopefully bring good results for all of us."

Valerio will partner Roldan Rodriguez, who has returned to Piquet after a season with the Fisichella team.

The Piquet squad fought for the 2006 title with Nelson Piquet, but Pastor Maldonado's Spa victory last year is their only race win since then.

Agent: Junior open to Seattle reunion

Di Grassi joins Racing Engineering

2009-02-28T05:18:00.005-08:00

Lucas di Grassi is to return to GP2 to lead Racing Engineering's bid for a second successive title.

The 24-year-old Brazilian challenged Timo Glock for the 2007 GP2 championship before focusing on Formula One testing with Renault. But he made a surprise return to the series with Campos halfway through last year and proceeded to grab third in the standings despite missing the first six rounds.

Di Grassi was also evaluated as a contender for a Honda F1 drive this year before the manufacturer withdrew.

"Contrary to last year, I will be able to participate in the GP2 Championship from the very beginning," said di Grassi, who has made 55 GP2 starts since first joining the series with Durango in 2006.

"I believe that after a good season, and testing with the Renault F1 team and Honda Racing, I am more ready than ever to fight for the title. I feel very motivated and I will push to the limit to bring it home."

Racing Engineering have already signed Formula 3 graduate Dani Clos for their second car. The team will run under the Fat Burner Racing Engineering title this season.

Team boss Alfonso de Orleans Borbon is targeting a title double this year, having taken Giorgio Pantano to last year's crown.

"Not only are Dani and Lucas good friends but I am sure their working relationship will also be very fruitful," said de Orleans Borbon.

"With Lucas' experience in GP2 and Formula One, and also bearing in mind Dani's recent tests in F1, it is logical to think that with such a line-up all our goals will be directed towards winning the drivers and teams' titles this season."

Racing Engineering sign Clos for ‘09

Dan Plesac joins MLB Network

Razia joins Fisichella for GP2 season

2009-02-28T05:18:00.003-08:00

Fisichella Motor Sport International have signed Luiz Razia to join Andreas Zuber in their 2009 GP2 Series team.

The 20-year-old Brazilian is currently racing for Arden in GP2 Asia, taking a best result of sixth in the last round at Losail, but had previously driven for Fisichella in the Euro 3000 series two years ago, taking third in the championship.

Team boss Paolo Coloni said Zuber and Razia made an ideal pairing.

"Luiz is now with us and we have a dream team," he said. "We have the experience of Zuber and the young talent of Razia, a team principal could not ask for more.

"We have been following his progress in Euro 3000, and he has grown over two years to deserve a place in GP2. He has shown great speed in the GP2 Asia Series and we count on this to score lots of points for FMSI this year.

"Never in the history of our team in GP2 have we had such a strong driver combination."

Former South American Formula 3 champion Razia plans to learn from the team and Zuber in his first full GP2 season.

"During the post-season tests in Paul Ricard I had an opportunity to test with them for one day and immediately sensed a good feeling with the team and the car," he said.

"I believe that with FMSI I will improve quickly and I hope to soon be challenging for point scoring positions and podiums on a regular basis. My intention is to take full advantage of the fact that I am racing in such an experienced team with an experienced teammate."

Gonzalez joins Fisichella for GP2 Asia

Renamed Addax team sign Grosjean

2009-02-28T05:18:00.001-08:00

The former Campos team have announced their new Barwa Addax name and confirmed Romain Grosjean and Vitaly Petrov as their drivers for the 2009 GP2 Series.

The name change is a result of the departure of founder Adrian Campos at the end of last season, with new owner Alejandro Agag opting to re-title the team after the addax antelope, and in deference to main sponsor Barwa International.

Campos won the teams' championship in 2008 and took third in the drivers' points with Lucas di Grassi despite the Brazilian missing the first half of the season.

Renault Formula One test driver Grosjean has joined Addax after winning the GP2 Asia title and two races in the main series with former champions ART last year.

"There is very little to say about Romain having already reached Formula One status, in one of the best teams," Agag said. "We shall offer him a car that will give him the opportunity to demonstrate, not for the first time, his undoubted talent."

Grosjean added: "We have high expectations for the season to come. They have welcomed me warmly and I really feel that together we will be able to work efficiently and successfully from the get go."

Russian driver Petrov is about to start his third year with the team, having taken two victories in the main series and one race win in the Asian championship.

"We know each other perfectly and we know that he will guarantee us important points in the overall championship and offer other great moments like his victory in Valencia," said Agag. "And who is to say he won't be fighting for the drivers' championship."

Petrov, who first joined GP2 with DPR in mid-2006, admitted that this had to be a breakthrough season for him.

"For me the 2009 season will be probably the most important and difficult," he said.

"I'm really happy to stay one more year with Barwa Addax Team, which was my strong fortress for the last couple of years. I hope that together with my new teammate Romain we can repeat last season's result and become the strongest team in GP2."

Campos steps down from GP2 team

ORT sign Chandhok for main series

Super Nova retain Villa for main series

2009-02-21T02:58:00.001-08:00

Spanish driver Javier Villa will remain at the Super Nova team to compete in the 2009 GP2 Series, it was announced on Friday.

Villa, who is currently racing with Super Nova in the GP2 Asia championship, will complete his fourth season in the series this year.

"It wasn't an easy decision because we had several offers from GP2 teams and also to compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Le Mans Series and also in America," the Spaniard said.

"But we think GP2 is where we need to be and I feel very comfortable at Super Nova following the work we have been doing in the GP2 Asia Series this winter."

The 21-year-old, winner of three GP2 races, finished in 17th position with Racing Engineering in last year's championship.

Hulkenberg won't finish Asia series

2009-02-15T16:03:00.007-08:00

Nico Hulkenberg says he does not expect to contest the remainder of the GP2 Asia Series despite moving up to third in the championship in just two meetings.

The reigning Formula 3 Euro Series champion joined ART - who took the inaugural Asia title with Romain Grosjean - from round four in Bahrain. He proceeded to take pole in both his qualifying sessions, and won the first night race in Qatar this weekend.

Those results have put him just 12 points behind championship leader Kamui Kobayashi with four races to go, but Hulkenberg says he is still likely to hand the car back to Pastor Maldonado from Sepang as originally planned. The pair have already signed to contest the main 2009 GP2 Series for ART.

"I think I'm not going to do the remaining rounds," said Hulkenberg.

"Pastor Maldonado will be replacing me. I'm only doing Bahrain and Qatar."

Former Super Aguri Formula One driver Sakon Yamamoto is contesting the full Asia Series in the second ART car.

Points leader Kobayashi struggled for pace at Losail and failed to score in the sprint race after a collision, but he was not too concerned to see his championship advantage eroded to ten points over Davide Valsecchi and 12 over Hulkenberg.

"My lead in the championship means I can afford a mistake, but I want to get back on top at the next round," said Kobayashi.

Campos Racing's Sergio Perez has also now moved into outside title contention, having taken two victories and a second place from the last three races, putting him 14 points behind DAMS driver Kobayashi. The Mexican admitted that he was starting to think about the championship.

"I will keep my strategy and approach each weekend one by one," Perez said. "I will try to win again in Malaysia and keep the momentum. I will work as hard as possible to score as many points as possible. In the end, if I can win the championship I will be very happy."

Hulkenberg storms to Qatar victory

Music video highlights: ALCS Game 7

Qatar night race for Asia Series

Perez rockets to Qatar sprint win

2009-02-15T16:03:00.005-08:00

Sergio Perez and Barwa Campos teammate Vitaly Petrov made good use of lightning starts to dominate Saturday evening's GP2 Asia sprint race at Losail in Qatar.

Arden duo Luiz Razia and Edoardo Mortara both made tardy getaways from the front row and squeezed Davide Valsecchi, who tried to go between them. They didn't look out for Petrov and Perez, however, who both sprinted past them to hit the front from P6 and P7 respectively.

Petrov led the opening lap, but made a slow exit from the final corner, allowing Perez to blast past him under braking for Turn 1 around the outside: "I lost him in my mirrors, he was so close, so I had to let him go," said the Russian.

After that, Perez's only scare was an FMS car which went off track and rejoined in front of him - the same one which almost cost him a place to his team-mate yesterday! "It wasn't so close this time," he said. "My biggest moment was at the first corner when Razia didn't see me and almost put me on the grass."

The challenge of yesterday's winner Nico Hulkenberg faded when he got stuck behind Mortara, losing at least 5secs to the Campos cars as he toiled to find a way past. He eventually did so at Turn 1 on lap 15, but didn't have enough time to make any inroads into the leaders.

Mortara finished fourth, ahead of Valsecchi, who banged wheels with Razia at 170mph on the approach to Turn 1 to grab the position. Razia rounded out the point scorers in sixth.

Results to follow.

Culture shock just what Rays needed

Hulkenberg storms to Qatar victory

Five-run second propels Dodgers

Hulkenberg storms to Qatar victory

2009-02-15T16:03:00.003-08:00

Despite losing his pole position advantage away from the startline in Qatar, Nico Hulkenberg produced an utterly brilliant performance to win the first-ever GP2 Asia night-time feature race at the Losail International Circuit.

The ART Grand Prix star had to play second fiddle initially to Sergio Perez, the race being disrupted in the early stages after a huge startline crash. Sakon Yamamoto stalled from sixth on the grid and was struck by 23rd qualifier Yelmer Buurman, who hit him with enormous velocity. Fortunately, neither was injured, even though Buurman's car briefly caught fire.

Hulkenberg even slipped to third by lap 13, passed by a flying Javier Villa (Super Nova), who was up from seventh on the grid. But Nico was merely preserving his tyres and a phenomenal mid-race spurt meant he was matching the times of those who had stopped for fresh tyres, even though his were worn.

"We did the right strategy to stay out," said Hulkenberg. "My biggest problem was that I'd lost my communication to the team. So it was very quiet for a long time and I never got a clear answer when I asked if I should pit, so I stayed out. Everything was fine and to win a race after just three starts isn't bad I think."

Vitaly Petrov, who had run third early on, was the first of the big players to pit on lap 10. He took full advantage of his extra grip and was ahead of Campos teammate Perez when he rejoined the circuit from his own pitstop on lap 14.

Perez, who was also suffering from radio communication problems, admitted he was confused by this situation and also couldn't work out why he ended up over 10 seconds behind Hulkenberg by the finish. He lunged past Petrov with a determined move at Turn 1 on lap 18, fortunately without contact to preserve a 2-3 finish for sponsor Barwa on home turf.

Series leader Kamui Kobayashi finished fourth, having struggled in the early going after tangling with title rival Roldan Rodriguez at the first corner. He regained his pace after his pitstop and chased Petrov over the finish line by 0.4s.

His DAMS teammate Jerome d'Ambrosio was fifth, after overcoming Davide Valsecchi following a long battle. Arden duo Edoardo Mortara and Luiz Razia were seventh and eighth to lock out Saturday's reverse grid sprint race front row.

To show he had speed to burn, Hulkenberg rattled off a couple of 1:38 laps in the closing stages, enough to give him the point for fastest lap.

Results to follow

Hulkenberg won’t finish Asia series

Perez rockets to Qatar sprint win

Music video highlights: ALCS Game 7

Qatar night race for Asia Series

Hulkenberg takes night race pole

2009-02-15T16:03:00.001-08:00

Nico Hulkenberg continued his excellent GP2 Asia qualifying form by taking pole position for the series' inaugural night race in Qatar.

Having started from pole on his GP2 debut at Sakhir last month, ART driver Hulkenberg grabbed the top spot again in the floodlit Losail session in the closing moments with a lap of 1:35.741.

That gave him first place by a commanding 0.7 seconds over Campos's Sergio Perez, who was victorious in the last race in Bahrain.

Perez's teammate Vitaly Petrov, who had led the way in first practice, ended up third having led the way for most of the session. The Russian was in front when iSport's Hamad Al Fardan spun into the gravel and caused a red flag with three and a half minutes to go, and when qualifying resumed for a final sprint, Petrov was shuffled down the order by Hulkenberg and Perez.

Championship leader Kamui Kobayashi (DAMS) grabbed fourth late in the session, ahead of Piquet's Roldan Rodriguez and Hulkenberg's ART teammate Sakon Yamamoto.

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:35.741 2. Sergio Perez Campos 1:36.464 + 0.723 3. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:36.487 + 0.746 4. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:36.525 + 0.784 5. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:36.583 + 0.842 6. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:36.667 + 0.926 7. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:36.685 + 0.944 8. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:36.923 + 1.182 9. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:36.987 + 1.246 10. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:37.027 + 1.286 11. James Jakes Super Nova 1:37.274 + 1.533 12. Marco Bonanomi Meritus 1:37.328 + 1.587 13. Alvaro Parente Meritus 1:37.409 + 1.668 14. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:37.605 + 1.864 15. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean 1:37.752 + 2.011 16. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:37.789 + 2.048 17. Michael Herck DPR 1:37.928 + 2.187 18. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:38.069 + 2.328 19. Luiz Razia Arden 1:38.264 + 2.523 20. Davide Rigon Trident 1:38.320 + 2.579 21. Hamad Al Fardan iSport 1:38.383 + 2.642 22. Rodolfo Gonzalez Fisichella 1:38.384 + 2.643 23. Yelmer Buurman Ocean 1:38.453 + 2.712 24. Frankie Provenzano Trident 1:39.314 + 3.573 25. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango 1:41.623 + 5.882 26. Kevin Nai Chia Chen Fisichella 1:43.139 + 7.398

No time to dwell on loss for Rays

Petrov leads Qatar night practice

2009-02-12T13:35:00.001-08:00

Vitaly Petrov was fastest in GP2's first ever night practice session in Qatar.

The GP2 Asia Series will hold its first night race at the Losail track this weekend, with qualifying taking place later this evening.

In addition to the unusual experience of running under floodlights, the field also had to cope with a track surface made extremely slippery by sandstorms during the preceding 24 hours.

Campos driver Petrov moved to the head of the field in the closing minutes of the session, lapping 0.2 seconds faster than Meritus driver Marco Bonanomi.

Davide Valsecchi was third for Durango, ahead of Michael Herck (DPR), who had been a surprise pace-setter until the final stages. Giedo van der Garde completed the top five in his iSport car.

Championship leader Kamui Kobayashi was only 15th, while Alvaro Parente took 18th on his return to GP2 with Meritus.

Pos Driver Team Time 1. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Int. Campos Team 1:38.812 2. Marco Bonanomi My Qi-Meritus.Mahara 1:39.012 + 0.200 3. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:39.281 + 0.469 4. Michael Herck DPR 1:39.514 + 0.702 5. Giedo van der Garde GFH Team iSport 1:39.588 + 0.776 6. Sergio Perez Barwa Int. Campos Team 1:39.684 + 0.872 7. Yelmer Buurman Ocean Racing Technology 1:39.721 + 0.909 8. Sakon Yamamoto ART Grand Prix 1:39.859 + 1.047 9. Nico Hülkenberg ART Grand Prix 1:40.074 + 1.262 10. Diego Nunes Piquet GP 1:40.127 + 1.315 11. James Jakes Super Nova Racing 1:40.452 + 1.640 12. Hamad Al Fardan GFH Team iSport 1:40.468 + 1.656 13. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean Racing Technology 1:40.487 + 1.675 14. Davide Rigon Trident Racing 1:40.572 + 1.760 15. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:40.649 + 1.837 16. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing 1:40.677 + 1.865 17. Edoardo Mortara Arden Int. Motorsport 1:40.774 + 1.962 18. Alvaro Parente My Qi-Meritus.Mahara 1:40.873 + 2.061 19. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:40.897 + 2.085 20 Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:41.085 + 2.273 21. Luiz Razia Arden Int. Motorsport 1:41.110 + 2.298 22. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP 1:41.382 + 2.570 23. Frankie Provenzano Trident Racing 1:41.830 + 3.018 24. Rodolfo Gonzalez Fisichella Motor Sport Int. 1:42.052 + 3.240 25. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango 1:46.949 + 8.137 26 Kevin Nai Chia Chen Fisichella Motor Sport Int.

Parente joins Meritus for Qatar

Parente joins Meritus for Qatar

2009-02-11T14:03:00.001-08:00

Alvaro Parente has joined Meritus for the GP2 Asia Series rounds in Qatar this weekend.

The 24-year-old Portuguese, who won the opening race of the 2008 main series and finished eighth in the championship with Super Nova, will replace Earl Bamber alongside Marco Bonanomi at the Malaysian-based team for GP2's first night races.

"I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to drive for Meritus and to team up with Marco," said the former British F3 and World Series by Renault champion.

"The team's results have shaken established teams and I'll do my best to show what I can do this weekend. I will spend the next days learning the circuit and getting up to speed quickly and I hope to be fully ready for the first night race in Qatar."

Meritus team owner Peter Thompson added: "At relatively short notice he will certainly be thrown in at the deep end. We are fighting to stay in the fight with the top teams and for the Qatar races we have a strong driver line up that is hungry for success and will fight hard."

Rigon replaces Valles at Trident

2009-02-10T14:39:00.001-08:00

Davide Rigon will make his GP2 Asia debut in Qatar weekend after signing a deal to replace Adrian Valles at Trident Racing.

The 22-year-old Italian, who has a Euroseries 3000 title to his name and also helped Chinese football club Beijing Guoan take the inaugural Superleague Formula crown last year, will partner Frankie Provenzano at the Losail circuit.

And he hopes to convince Trident to keep him on for the Main GP2 championship, which begins in May.

"I'm really honoured to have this new opportunity," Rigon said. "First, this deal will finally get me back in an open-wheel car after more than two months while, second, the agreement with Trident Racing will enable me to get in touch with the team that I hope to partner during the GP2 main series in 2009.

"I tested [the FMS] GP2 Dallara back in November 2007, and I remember it was a really light and reactive car, which I really enjoyed to drive. I'll have to build the feeling back but, since I'm feeling really fit and focused, I think it will be a natural process."

Rigon is looking forward to the event, which will stage GP2's first night race, and will be able to use the 'after dark' experience he gained while winning the GT2 class at last year's Spa 24 Hours, to help him.

"I'll find a totally unknown track at Qatar, but the difficulties will be balanced by the fascinating night atmosphere, which will be also new to everybody," the Italian added.

"I really respect the GP2 field, which features several true top-class drivers, and I don't know what to expect in terms of results, but the primary goal for this race will be to create a strong relationship with the team - and avoid making mistakes."

Best ‘pen will write ending to Game 5

Qatar night race for Asia Series

Racing Engineering sign Clos for '09

2009-02-09T14:14:00.001-08:00

Racing Engineering, winners of the 2008 GP2 title with Giorgio Pantano, have signed Formula 3 graduate Dani Clos for the new season.

Team boss Alfonso de Orleans-Borbon expects 2009 to be a learning year for Clos, who has already tested with the Williams Formula One team.

"I have always wanted him to race with us, since our days in F3," said de Orleans-Borbon.

"This is a two-year project and during the first season, Dani will adapt to the category and the GP2 car. But considering his experience and the fact that he has already driven a Formula One car, I am sure he will come up with some surprises.

"After, we will try to win the title with him."

Clos is a former Italian Formula Renault champion, but could only manage two podiums during two years in the F3 Euro Series with the Signature and Prema teams.

"For me it is a great opportunity to be with a team like Racing Engineering, from a personal as well as sporting point of view," said the 20-year-old Spaniard.

"It is my priority this year to understand the car as much as possible and take the most advantage of the experience of a winning team."

Rodriguez leads wet final test day

GP2 confirms entries and calendar

iSport sign van der Garde and Nunes

2009-02-07T02:01:00.001-08:00

iSport International have announced Giedo van der Garde and Diego Nunes as their driver line-up for this year's GP2 main series.

The team had hoped to retain Bruno Senna, who they ran to the runner-up spot in the championship in 2008, if the Brazilian did not land a Formula One drive and had to return to GP2.

But Senna told iSport earlier this week that he would hold out for an F1 drive, and they have now confirmed another Brazilian, Diego Nunes, alongside van der Garde who is currently contesting the Asia series with the team.

"We are delighted to have Giedo and Diego on board for the 2009 series, " said iSport team boss Paul Jackson. "We have been building a good relationship with Giedo during the Asia Series and he was impressive during the winter testing.

"We were equally impressed with Diego after he tested with us at Paul Ricard last year, and with a year's experience in GP2 he will be a valuable addition to the team."

MLB Network signs Vasgersian

EXCLUSIVE: Senna rules out GP2

Rays closing in on playoff roster

EXCLUSIVE: Senna rules out GP2

2009-02-05T09:58:00.001-08:00

Last year's GP2 Series runner-up Bruno Senna will not return to Formula One's feeder category, autosport.com can exclusively reveal.

Senna, who holds the key to this year's junior single-seater driver market with GP2 teams waiting for his decision before firming up their plans, tested impressively for Honda F1 before Christmas.

He had been expected to return to iSport after Honda announced its withdrawal from F1 soon after his run at Barcelona.

However, Senna informed iSport early this week that he will hold out for an opportunity in F1 this year, rather than return to their GP2 line-up.

His only option for a race drive would be at Scuderia Toro Rosso or whatever form Honda F1 might take on if the Brackley-based team continue to operate under new ownership.

Autosport.com can also reveal that Norfolk-based iSport have now set the wheels in motion to sign another Brazilian, former DPR racer Diego Nunes, to partner Giedo van der Garde for GP2 in 2009. They hopes to tie-up the deal by the end of the week.

For the full background to the story, read this week's Autosport magazine.

Agent: Junior open to Seattle reunion

ORT sign Chandhok for main series

2009-02-03T14:19:00.001-08:00

Ocean Racing Technology have announced Indian Karun Chandhok will join the team for the 2009 GP2 Series championship.

Chandhok, 25, becomes the first driver to be confirmed at the Portuguese team for the main series.

"It is very important for Ocean Racing Technology to guarantee the presence of a talented driver such as Karun Chandhok," said team boss Tiago Monteiro. "He is fast, a hard worker and already has some great results on different kinds of tracks.

"From what we hear, he always had an excellent working relationship with engineers and team principals that he has previously worked with and has won two races in the GP2 Main Series.

"It is extremely positive that he signed this contract well before the championship starts because this way we can immediately begin work for the Main Series."

Chandhok, a two-time race winner in GP2, has raced in the series since the 2007 season, having finished in 15th that year and 10th in 2008 in the standings.

"I'm very happy to have concluded a deal with Ocean Racing Technology," said the Indian. "I've known Tiago for a few years now since we briefly raced together in World Series and of course he was Narain (Karthikeyan)'s teammate at Jordan.

"I really believe that having an ex-F1 driver running a team is a big plus as he understands what is needed from our perspective."

He added: "Of course, going to a new team is always a bit of a gamble for a driver. Any new team will take some time to get fully up to speed and it's slightly unrealistic to think we're going to be Championship contenders, but certainly the objective is to win races this year.

"iSport was a very good team but we could not conclude a suitable financial agreement and have parted ways on good terms. My experience with them will certainly be of benefit as I work to develop ORT into a front running team."

The first race of the 2009 season will take place in Barcelona on May 9.

Ocean sign Crestani as second driver

Maldonado to race for ART in 2009

GP2 moves to slash costs too

2009-01-26T21:08:00.001-08:00

GP2 organisers have followed Formula One's lead and scrapped testing during the season in a bid to reduce the cost of competing.

A reduction in the cost of parts has also been agreed with supplier Dallara, who build the GP2 cars, and series bosses will also allocate credit for spare parts to the teams.

Teams will also be restricted in how many staff they can bring to races. The maximum will be 13 for the first half of this season and drop to 12 from the second half onwards.

GP2 boss Bruno Michel said: "We cannot ignore the world's financial crisis that affects us all. We need to make sure we can go through the present delicate time by finding solutions both in the technical and sporting areas.

"We are trying to find the right level to keep the series as successful as ever. We have been looking at all the areas of our business and we have come up with the different steps that we will implement as of now.

"We are confident that our plan will help everyone go through the difficult period we are in and will have a very significant economic impact on the teams already in 2009."

GP2 organisers announce GP3 series

Perez takes maiden win in Bahrain

2009-01-25T01:54:00.001-08:00

Sergio Perez took his first GP2 victory in the Asia Series sprint race in Bahrain.

The British Formula 3 graduate led from lights to flag, after starting on pole position thanks to his eighth place yesterday.

Perez's life was made slightly easier before the start when his front row partner Giedo van der Garde failed to get away for the formation lap. The iSport driver was pushed into the pitlane and could only recover to 14th.

Campos driver Perez then edged away from Durango's Davide Valsecchi, establishing a two-second lead by the middle of the race as up to eight drivers battled in his wake.

Valsecchi closed the gap towards the end, but Perez had enough in hand to fend him off and clinch victory.

Jerome D'Ambrosio completed the podium after an outstanding drive for DAMS.

He had dropped to eighth on the first lap, but charged past Earl Bamber (Meritus) and his championship-leading teammate Kamui Kobayashi early on.

The DAMS duo then pressured fifth-placed Roldan Rodriguez (Piquet), both slipping past in quick succession, but while that would be as far as Kobayashi progressed, D'Ambrosio continued to advance through the field.

He pounced on a late error from Javier Villa (Super Nova) to take fourth, and then closed on ART's Nico Hulkenberg before snatching third from the F3 Euro Series champion on the last lap.

Villa and Kobayashi completed the top six, ahead of Bamber and yesterday's third place finisher Edoardo Mortara (Arden).

Results will be added shortly

Kobayashi storms to Dubai win

Kobayashi leads DAMS one-two

2009-01-25T01:53:00.001-08:00

Kamui Kobayashi extended his GP2 Asia points lead by leading a DAMS one-two in the first race in Bahrain.

Pole-sitter Nico Hulkenberg (ART) had led the early laps on his GP2 debut, but had Kobayashi glued to his rear wing and constantly looking for an opportunity to pass.

The Toyota Formula One test driver finally dived past his Williams counterpart on the 13th lap, and was then able to edge away.

Hulkenberg made his mandatory pitstop soon afterwards, and lost more ground due to an issue with a wheel change.

That allowed Kobayashi's DAMS teammate Jerome D'Ambrosio to emerge in second place, having earlier muscled his way past Edoardo Mortara's Arden car to take third as they lapped a backmarker.

Mortara held on to the final podium spot, under pressure from the recovering Hulkenberg, and with Davide Valsecchi (Durango) chasing them both home.

A few seconds behind, Piquet driver Roldan Rodriguez fended off iSport's Giedo van der Garde to take sixth, just ahead of Sergio Perez (Campos).

The race saw relatively little incident, but there was early disappointment for top ten qualifiers Sakon Yamamoto (ART) and Marco Bonanomi (Meritus), who both stalled on the grid.

Pos Driver Team Gap 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 34 laps 2. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS + 5.892 3. Edoardo Mortara Arden + 18.570 4. Nico Hulkenberg ART + 19.436 5. Davide Valsecchi Durango + 20.368 6. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet + 24.076 7. Giedo van der Garde iSport + 24.748 8. Sergio Perez Barwa Campos + 27.462 9. Javier Villa Super Nova + 30.687 10. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Campos + 36.702 11. Earl Bamber Qi-Meritus + 38.042 12. Hamad Al Fardan iSport + 51.424 13. Diego Nunes Piquet + 55.560 14. Luiz Razia Arden + 1:06.976 15. Frankie Provenzano Trident + 1:14.584 16. Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS + 1:18.339 17. Sakon Yamamoto ART + 1:18.391 18. Michael Herck DPR + 1:18.559 19. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango + 1:46.185 20. Marco Bonanomi Qi-Meritus + 1 lap 21. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS + 2 laps 22. James Jakes Super Nova + 3 laps Retirements:Driver Team Laps Giacomo Ricci Trident 21 Adrian Valles Trident 13 Fabrizio Crestani Ocean 0 Yelmer Buurman Ocean 0

Homers hurt Dodgers in Game 1

Kobayashi leads Bahrain practice

Kobayashi leads Bahrain practice

2009-01-22T21:32:00.003-08:00

GP2 Asia championship leader Kamui Kobayashi continued to show strong form in the series' return to action in practice at Bahrain on Thursday.

The DAMS driver, winner of the Dubai race two months ago, posted a best time of 1:42.642 to finish clearly ahead of his closest rival Nico Hulkenberg.

The ART Grand Prix racer finished over half a second behind Kobayashi, with teammate Jerome D'Ambrosio in third, but nearly a whole second adrift.

GP2 Asia returnee Marco Bonanomi placed his Meritus car in a promising fourth, ahead of fellow rookie Edoardo Mortara in the quicker Arden car. Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:42.642 2. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:43.221 +0.579 3. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:43.444 +0.802 4. Marco Bonanomi Qi-Meritus 1:43.520 +0.878 5. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:43.576 +0.934 6. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:43.577 +0.935 7. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:43.597 +0.955 8. James Jakes Super Nova 1:43.872 +1.230 9. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:44.001 +1.359 10. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:44.024 +1.382 11. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:44.027 +1.385 12. Luiz Razia Arden 1:44.037 +1.395 13. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:44.095 +1.453 14. Sergio Perez Campos 1:44.113 +1.471 15. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:44.185 +1.543 16. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1:44.492 +1.850 17. Yelmer Buurman Ocean 1:44.521 +1.879 18. Earl Bamber Qi-Meritus 1:44.666 +2.024 19. Adrian Valles Trident 1:44.907 +2.265 20. Michael Herck DPR 1:44.949 +2.307 21. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:45.142 +2.500 22. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean 1:45.532 +2.890 23. Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS 1:45.563 +2.921 24. Frankie Provenzano Trident 1:45.828 +3.186 25. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango 1:46.053 +3.411 26. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:47.023 +4.381

Kobayashi leads the way in Jerez test

Hulkenberg takes pole on GP2 debut

2009-01-22T21:32:00.001-08:00

Nico Hulkenberg has taken pole position for his GP2 debut in the Asian Series round in Bahrain this weekend.

The reigning Formula 3 Euro Series champion lapped the Sakhir circuit in 1:41.351, more than a tenth of a second quicker than his nearest challenger.

DAMS teammates Jerome d'Ambrosio and series leader Kamui Kobayashi qualified second and third, with another GP2 newcomer, Edoardo Mortara, completing the second row for Arden.

Roldan Rodriguez, who lies three points behind Kobayashi in the standings, qualified third for Piquet GP with Giedo van der Garde sixth for iSport.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Nico Hulkenberg ART 1:41.351 2. Jerome d'Ambrosio DAMS 1:41.476 +0.125 3. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:41.522 +0.172 4. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:41.978 +0.627 5. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:42.195 +0.844 6. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:42.307 +0.956 7. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:42.344 +0.993 8. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:42.355 +1.004 9. Marco Bonanomi Qi-Meritus 1:42.362 +1.011 10. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:42.449 +1.098 11. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:42.458 +1.107 12. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:42.564 +1.213 13. Sergio Perez Campos 1:42.632 +1.282 14. James Jakes Super Nova 1:42.636 +1.285 15. Earl Bamber Qi-Meritus 1:42.798 +1.447 16. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1:42.818 +1.467 17. Yelmer Buurman Ocean 1:42.833 +1.482 18. Luiz Razia Arden 1:43.061 +1.710 19. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean 1:43.373 +2.022 20. Adrian Valles Trident 1:43.401 +2.050 21. Michael Herck DPR 1:43.413 +2.062 22. Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS 1:43.701 +2.351 23. Giacomo Ricci Trident 1:44.043 +2.692 24. Frankie Provenzano Trident 1:44.325 +2.974 25. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:45.281 +3.930 26. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango no time

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Kobayashi leads Bahrain practice

Dan Plesac joins MLB Network

Gonzalez joins Fisichella for GP2 Asia

2009-01-21T14:34:00.001-08:00

Fisichella Motor Sport have signed Rodolfo Gonzalez for the rest of the GP2 Asia Series.

The 22-year-old Venezuelan joins the team after an exploratory outing in the Euro F3000 series in Italy at the end of last season convinced him he was ready to step up from Formula 3.

"The good vibe I had when I drove the F3000 in Magione last year gave me the opportunity to evaluate my participation in GP2," he said.

"The Asian series is a good benchmark and will be useful to build up my brain and muscles before facing the main series and I want to seriously acquaint myself with this car before going any further."

Team principal Paolo Coloni said the squad, who recently announced Andreas Zuber as their lead driver for the main GP2 Series, could keep Gonzalez on board beyond the Asian championship.

"Gonzalez is a good asset for FMSI. With Zuber concentrating on the main series, it was great to know that we had Rodolfo coming to us to help us maintain our good racing level in the Asian series," said Coloni.

"I had the opportunity to evaluate him during his first outing in F3000 last year and made a deal with him there and then.

"We know this is a serious commitment from him and we know that he is counting on our experience to make progress with his career. For this we are currently planning on his future starting from this week in Bahrain and are working on a long-term strategy soon to be revealed."

Gonzalez is a former British F3 National class champion, but had a difficult season in the Euro Series with Carlin last year.

"The FMSI situation suited my plans and I am happy to take over the car and race in the remaining four races of the calendar," he added.

Music video highlights: WS Game 2

Zuber to stay with Fisichella for 2009

Bonanomi replaces Yoong at Meritus

Yoong says he lacked time for racing

2009-01-20T20:01:00.001-08:00

Alex Yoong says he decided to step down from his GP2 Asia drive because he was unable to devote sufficient time to racing.

The 32-year-old former Minardi Formula One driver, who now has a number of motorsport-related business interests in Malaysia, was replaced at the Meritus team by Marco Bonanomi last week.

"I spoke to Peter Thompson (Meritus team boss) and we have decided to come to an agreement, which is mutually beneficial to all parties," Yoong told Malaysian newspaper The Star.

"I had done some driver coaching with them in the past but to finally get the chance to race with them was a lovely experience.

"GP2 Asia is a fantastic series and very competitive. The team need total focus from their drivers and I was finding this more and more difficult to obligate."

Yoong had struggled in the first two GP2 Asia rounds, qualifying towards the back of the field and managing only one top ten finish.

After losing his F1 seat at the end of 2002, Yoong had a brief period in Champ Cars, made several sportscar appearances, and was a race-winner in A1GP.

Zuber to stay with Fisichella for 2009

2009-01-19T11:42:00.003-08:00

Andreas Zuber is to stay on at Fisichella Motor Sport for his fourth year of GP2.

The 25-year-old Austrian had already joined Giancarlo Fisichella's squad for this winter's GP2 Asia series, and will remain with the team for the main championship.

He was a race-winner for Trident and iSport in 2006 and 2007, but had to settle for podiums with Piquet Sports last year.

Zuber is now determined to challenge for the title in 2009.

"From the first moment I stepped into the cockpit of the FMSI Dallara, I felt that it was the race car I wanted to drive in the international GP2 Series this year," he said.

"I immediately established a good relationship with my engineer and the crew and, in the end, it was an easy decision to make."

Team boss Paolo Coloni said he had been keen to sign Zuber for some time.

"We wanted Andreas to driver for us in 2008 and unfortunately he opted for another team," said Coloni. "I have learned never to give up so I invited him to test our car.

"Last season we were extremely competitive, especially in the last couple of races, and I wanted him to experience that and not just hear it from me. I am so glad he has made the decision to join FMSI because we need his speed and experience to clinch that championship victory that we have been chasing for the past three years."

Zuber has also become part of Fisichella's manager Enrico Zanarini's driver management stable.

"We have both agreed that 2009 is a make or break year for him and we will spare no time or efforts to make sure that the perfect job is done," said Zanarini.

"We have already started to reorganise his training programme and to build a commercial network behind him. He will not have to deal with any other aspect of his career that is not related to racing."

Phils take 2-0 NLCS lead over Dodgers

Culture shock just what Rays needed

Bonanomi replaces Yoong at Meritus

2009-01-19T11:42:00.001-08:00

Marco Bonanomi will return to the GP2 Asia Series for next weekend's Sakhir rounds, replacing former Formula One driver Alex Yoong at Meritus Racing.

The 23-year-old Italian ended last year's Asian championship on a high by winning the final race in Dubai, before spending the summer in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.

"I'm glad to have found this opportunity, and to be back working with a great technician like (Gianfranco) Bielli at Al Sakhir," said Bonanomi.

"Since the GP2 Asia Series doesn't feature extensive practice sessions, I'll have to re-adapt to the car really quickly, though I see a strong team so I'm pretty confident."

Despite returning to GP2 for now, Bonanomi is hoping to race in America in 2009, having tested for former Indy Lights champions Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

"Regarding my 2009 options, I'm still in talks with Schmidt's team, with a good chance to finalise things for a full Indy Lights assault," he said.

Qatar night race for Asia Series

2008-12-17T13:28:00.001-08:00

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."

Big goal for Chivas? Second round

Nowak makes final roster selections

GP2 confirms entries and calendar

2008-12-16T16:50:00.003-08:00

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

TFC, LA both missing key pieces

2008-12-16T16:50:00.001-08:00

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.

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

2008-12-06T15:15:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-05T12:55:00.001-08:00

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

Galaxy snap winless streak in emphatic fashion

Rodriguez pips Kobayashi to pole

Revs search for continuity as season closes

ART confirm Hulkenberg for GP2

2008-12-04T15:21:00.005-08:00

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

Kobayashi snatches pole in Dubai

2008-12-04T15:21:00.003-08:00

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

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

2008-12-04T15:21:00.001-08:00

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

Quakes dictate pace in road draw

Fire sign Paraguayan defender Marmol

Ocean sign Crestani as second driver

2008-12-03T15:36:00.001-08:00

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.

Buurman fills Monteiro’s first seat

Buurman fills Monteiro's first seat

2008-11-30T05:36:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-28T15:15:00.001-08:00

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

Campos steps down from GP2 team

Maki shelves GP2 Asia plans

2008-11-27T13:50:00.001-08:00

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.

Arden sign Razia, Maki for GP2 Asia

Pantano returns to test 2009 updates

2008-11-17T14:08:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-12T13:24:00.003-08:00

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

2008-11-12T13:24:00.001-08:00

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

Top of SuperLiga table clash on tap

Kobayashi on top in Paul Ricard test

2008-11-11T15:33:00.001-08:00

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

Big goal for Chivas? Second round

Maldonado to race for ART in 2009

2008-11-10T13:30:00.001-08:00

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."

Maldonado seeks Monaco double

Kobayashi leads the way in Jerez test

2008-10-31T01:56:00.003-07:00

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

Algarve to host 2009 GP2 finale

2008-10-31T01:56:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-29T18:28:00.001-07:00

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

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Mortara to test for Arden, Trident

2008-10-28T16:32:00.001-07:00

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.

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Valsecchi wins race two at Shanghai

2008-10-20T14:46:00.001-07:00

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

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Kobayashi fastest in Shanghai practice

Rodriguez pips Kobayashi to pole

2008-10-19T03:41:00.005-07:00

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

Kobayashi fastest in Shanghai practice

2008-10-19T03:41:00.003-07:00

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

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Rodriguez pips Kobayashi to pole

Kobayashi tipped for GP2 Asia title

2008-10-19T03:41:00.001-07:00

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.

Rodriguez wins as Kobayashi spins

2008-10-18T04:46:00.005-07:00

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

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

Turvey targets GP2 next season

2008-10-18T04:46:00.003-07:00

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."

Turvey to test for iSport

Rodriguez delighted by maiden pole

2008-10-18T04:46:00.001-07:00

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."

Valsecchi takes first GP2 victory

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Arden sign Razia, Maki for GP2 Asia

2008-10-16T07:00:00.001-07:00

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."

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

Campos steps down from GP2 team

2008-10-13T14:12:00.001-07:00

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.

Bamber joins Meritus for GP2 Asia

2008-10-11T11:55:00.003-07:00

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 still on top in Shanghai

2008-10-11T11:55:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-08T17:12:00.001-07:00

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

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

Van der Garde joins iSport

2008-10-03T13:17:00.003-07:00

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

2008-10-03T13:17:00.001-07:00

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."

Ottawa to announce MLS expansion bid

Trident eye Karthikeyan, van der Drift

2008-09-30T09:25:00.001-07:00

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."

Victory eases pressure for U.S.

Kobayashi dominates Paul Ricard test

2008-09-27T15:38:00.001-07:00

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

Guzan hopes to seize opportunity

Kobayashi stays on top at Ricard

2008-09-26T06:36:00.001-07:00

Kamui Kobayashi continued to dominate the opening day of GP2 testing at Paul Ricard this afternoon.

The DAMS GP2 regular knocked a tenth of a second off his best time from this morning's session to defend his place at the top of the timesheet.

Alberto Valerio was again second fastest for Piquet Sports, while another experienced GP2 racer, Davide Valsecchi, climbed to third with Durango - the team he has re-signed with for next season.

Diego Nunes improved on his morning run to take fourth place for iSport, ahead of Campos Racing's Vitaly Petrov.

Briton Oliver Turvey was the fastest rookie of the day in sixth place for ART, beating fellow GP2 newcomer Paul di Resta, who finished ninth fastest in the other ART car.

The quickest of the other first time GP2 testers in action this afternoon were Sergio Perez (Campos) in eighth, and Luiz Razia (Racing Engineering), Renger van der Zande (Arden), and Sam Bird (DAMS) 10th, 11th and 12th.

The session was only interupted once when another debutant, Kevin Nai Chia Chen, crashed his FMS car at the chicane on the back straight.

This afternoon's times:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:13.158 34 2. Alberto Valerio Piquet Sports 1:13.393 38 3. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:13.514 30 4. Diego Nunes iSport 1:13.530 38 5. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:13.596 49 6. Oliver Turvey ART 1:13.695 40 7. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet Sports 1:13.779 38 8. Sergio Perez Campos 1:13.835 40 9. Paul di Resta ART 1:13.854 36 10. Luiz Razia Racing Engineering 1:13.878 43 11. Renger van der Zande Arden 1:13.958 42 12. Sam Bird DAMS 1:14.006 36 13. Will Bratt DPR 1:14.047 45 14. Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1:14.062 39 15. Koudai Tsukakoshi Arden 1:14.096 46 16. Nelson Philippe iSport 1:14.106 34 17. Dani Clos BCN 1:14.217 55 18. Chris van der Drift Trident 1:14.225 18 19. Fabrizio Crestani FMS 1:14.296 58 20. Michael Herck DPR 1:14.314 53 21. James Jakes Super Nova 1:14.573 50 22. Fabio Onidi BCN 1:14.626 55 23. Christian Ebbesvik Racing Engineering 1:14.692 29 24. Narain Karthikeyan Trident 1:15.025 34 25. Vladimir Arabadzhiev Super Nova 1:15.237 40 26. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:19.179 15

Ottawa to announce MLS expansion bid

Kobayashi tops first session at Ricard

2008-09-25T07:11:00.001-07:00

GP2 regular Kamui Kobayashi set the pace on the first morning of the series' two-day test at Paul Ricard.

The Toyota F1 test driver set a best lap of 1:13.278 in the DAMS car that he contested this year's championship in, ahead of fellow series regulars Alberto Valerio, Roldan Rodriguez, and Andi Zuber.

Briton Sam Bird and Mexican Sergio Perez were the quickest newcomers in fifth and sixth places, setting identical times for DAMS and Campos Racing respectively.

Davide Valsecchi and Michael Herck were seventh and eighth fastest, with iSport International pairing Diego Nunes and Nelson Philippe completing the top ten.

Among the other GP2 newcomers were DTM title contender Paul di Resta and British F3 championship leader Oliver Turvey, who were both in action for ART Grand Prix and finished the morning's running 12th and 13th respectively.

F3 race winners Renger van der Zande, Koudai Tsukakoshi, and James Jakes each had their first GP2 outings this morning as well.

The test continues this afternoon.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:13.278 25 2. Alberto Valerio Piquet Sports 1:13.586 31 3. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet Sports 1:13.648 36 4. Andi Zuber FMS 1:13.672 37 5. Sam Bird DAMS 1:14.075 42 6. Sergio Perez Campos 1:14.075 51 7. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:14.113 23 8. Michael Herck DPR 1:14.149 42 9. Diego Nunes iSport 1:14.154 43 10. Nelson Philippe iSport 1:14.203 36 11. Carlos Iaconelli Durango 1:14.588 32 12. Paul di Resta ART 1:14.620 29 13. Olivier Turvey ART 1:15.091 25 14. Bertrand Baguette BCN 1:15.125 53 15. Renger van der Zande Arden 1:15.158 32 16. Vitaly Petrov Campos 1:15.169 14 17. Koudai Tsukakoshi Arden 1:15.175 31 18. Vladimir Arabadzhiev Super Nova 1:15.334 46 19. Will Bratt DPR 1:15.340 55 20. Luiz Razia Racing Engineering 1:15.351 33 21. Fabio Onidi BCN 1:15.369 39 22. Narin Karthikeyan Trident 1:15.407 39 23. Christian Ebbesvik Racing Engineering 1:15.692 30 24. James Jakes Super Nova 1:15.722 34 25. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:18.580 34

FCD’s ‘Bird Man’ starts to take flight

Turvey to test for iSport

2008-09-22T03:41:00.003-07:00

British Formula 3 championship leader Oliver Turvey will test for GP2 team iSport International at Paul Ricard next week.

The former McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner is the clear favourite to win the British F3 title at next month's Donington Park finale and is hoping to step up to GP2 next season.

iSport have one vacant seat for this winter's Asia Series, with both seats still to be filled for next season's main championship.

"I feel like we've got a good chance of winning the F3 title and, after that, the next step is GP2," Turvey said in this week's Autosport.

"My focus is to get a drive with a top team in GP2 for next year. Asia is a possibility, but it will depend on budget."
Fellow British F3 racer Marcus Ericsson, GP2 regular Diego Nunes, and former Champ Car race winner Nelson Philippe will also test for iSport next week.

GP2 race winner Andi Zuber will test for FMS International, while another British F3 front-runner, Sergio Perez, will test for GP2 champion team Campos Racing alongside current driver Vitaly Petrov.

Fire near full strength for Rapids

Valsecchi takes first GP2 victory

2008-09-22T03:41:00.001-07:00

After a year that has included two big shunts that put him in hospital, Davide Valsecchi scored an emotional maiden GP2 victory on home soil for Durango at Monza in the sprint race.

Starting from reverse grid pole, Valsecchi suffered huge wheelspin on the treacherously wet surface, which meant everybody started on wets.

From row two, Roldan Rodriguez made the best start, and rocketed through into the lead by the first corner, followed by Jerome d'Ambrosio.

D'Ambrosio went straight on at the first chicane, however, and Valsecchi passed him by the conclusion of the opening lap to run second. The Belgian would then lose further places to Romain Grosjean, Bruno Senna and Mike Conway in the early going.

Senna spun at Roggia, overtaking two cars backwards but continuing in fourth. That lasted only until the same corner next lap, when Lucas di Grassi slammed into the back of Conway, and Senna spun again - this time in avoidance.

At the front, Rodriguez had pulled out a 2.6-second lead, but Valsecchi began to reel him in as the track dried out slightly. He took the lead at the first chicane on lap nine, and pulled away to a nine-second victory.

Grosjean also got around Rodriguez, but lost the place almost immediately. Rodriguez then held on to finish an excellent second for FMS - by far their best result of the year - 0.5 seconds ahead of Grosjean, who was 0.6 seconds ahead of a charging Pastor Maldonado at the finish.

Newly-crowned champion Giorgio Pantano finished fifth, having dropped to 17th on the opening lap after a terrible start and a cautious first corner. D'Ambrosio clung to the final point in sixth but had to hold off Sebastien Buemi and a recovering Senna to do so.

Pantano celebrated his title by stopping at the first chicane to throw his gloves into the crowd and then getting back in his car to perform a series of doughnuts at the Roggia. Combined with Valsecchi and Durango's win, it capped a great day for Italy in GP2.

ClassifiedPos Driver Team Time 1. Davide Valsecchi Durango 38:09.871 2. Roldan Rodriguez FMS + 9.004 3. Romain Grosjean ART + 9.537 4. Pastor Maldonado Piquet Sports + 10.190 5. Giorgio Pantano Racing Engineering + 11.428 6. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS + 16.731 7. Sebastien Buemi Arden + 17.675 8. Bruno Senna iSport + 18.540 9. Ho-Pin Tung Trident + 32.030 10. Andreas Zuber Piquet Sports + 33.641 11. Lucas Di Grassi Campos + 42.236 12. Alvaro Parente Super Nova + 46.434 13. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS + 46.836 14. Carlos Iaconelli BCN Competicion + 51.080 15. Alberto Valerio Durango + 51.743 16. Diego Nunes DPR + 52.565 17. Michael Herck DPR + 55.792 18. Andy Soucek Super Nova + 56.456 Retirements:Driver Team Laps Sakon Yamamoto ART 14 Luca Filippi Arden 12 Marko Asmer FMS 8 Vitali Petrov Campos 6 Mike Conway Trident 3 Karun Chandhok iSport 0

Di Grassi wins, Pantano takes title