It seems like Davide Valsecchi is making Sunday wins his specialty. After he dominated the last race of the GP2 Series in Monza last month, he drove from pole to victory in this morning's sprint race in the opening event of the GP2 Asia Series.
However, he had to hold on great pressure from My Qi-Meritus.Mahara's Bamber. The young Kiwi once again left a really strong impression after another great start and an impressive pace that allowed him to finish second hence snatching his first GP2 podium.
As usual, there was much action and drama first with Mika Maki stalling on the pre-grid and then Sakon Yamamoto failing to launch when the lights went off.
However, all eyes were on poleman Valsecchi who held off Van der Drift while Earl Bamber found a way to overtake the Trident racer. On turn 4, Diego Nunes span and although no car touched him, Kamui Kobayashi whose start had not been good lost another couple positions.
At the chequered flag, a ecstatic Valsecchi took victory ahead of Earl Bamber and Javier Villa in spite of a small mistake in the second-to-last lap. Van der Drift took fourth, d'Ambrosio fifth while yesterday's winner Rodriguez grabbed the remaining point.
After this first round, Roldan Rodriguez is leading Javier Villa by 13 points to 10, ahead of Kamui Kobayashi just 1 point behind the young Spaniard. Earl Bamber is fourth with Davide Valsecchi and Sakon Yamamoto behind him.
Shanghai - Race 2
1. Davide Valsecchi Durango
2. Earl Bamber My Qi-Meritus.Mahara
3. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing
4. Chris Van der Drift Trident Racing
5. Jérôme d'Ambrosio Dams
6. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP
Etc.
Championship classification
1.Rodriguez 13 points; 2.Villa 10; 3.Kobayashi 9; 4.Bamber 8; 5.Valsecchi 7; 6.Yamamoto 6; 7.Van der Drift 5; 8.Petrov 4; 9.D'Ambrosio 2.
However, he had to hold on great pressure from My Qi-Meritus.Mahara's Bamber. The young Kiwi once again left a really strong impression after another great start and an impressive pace that allowed him to finish second hence snatching his first GP2 podium.
As usual, there was much action and drama first with Mika Maki stalling on the pre-grid and then Sakon Yamamoto failing to launch when the lights went off.
However, all eyes were on poleman Valsecchi who held off Van der Drift while Earl Bamber found a way to overtake the Trident racer. On turn 4, Diego Nunes span and although no car touched him, Kamui Kobayashi whose start had not been good lost another couple positions.
At the chequered flag, a ecstatic Valsecchi took victory ahead of Earl Bamber and Javier Villa in spite of a small mistake in the second-to-last lap. Van der Drift took fourth, d'Ambrosio fifth while yesterday's winner Rodriguez grabbed the remaining point.
After this first round, Roldan Rodriguez is leading Javier Villa by 13 points to 10, ahead of Kamui Kobayashi just 1 point behind the young Spaniard. Earl Bamber is fourth with Davide Valsecchi and Sakon Yamamoto behind him.
Shanghai - Race 2
1. Davide Valsecchi Durango
2. Earl Bamber My Qi-Meritus.Mahara
3. Javier Villa Super Nova Racing
4. Chris Van der Drift Trident Racing
5. Jérôme d'Ambrosio Dams
6. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet GP
Etc.
Championship classification
1.Rodriguez 13 points; 2.Villa 10; 3.Kobayashi 9; 4.Bamber 8; 5.Valsecchi 7; 6.Yamamoto 6; 7.Van der Drift 5; 8.Petrov 4; 9.D'Ambrosio 2.