After a stellar performance in the opening round in Barcelona earlier this month – with Jules Bianchi in pole position, and Charles Pic and Fabio Leimer race winners, the brilliant 2010 GP2 rookies were eventually tamed in Monaco and the games changed with more experienced drivers claiming back the spotlight: while Racing Engineering’s Dani Clos snatched pole position, Sergio Perez at Addax took Race 1 win and Jerome d’Ambrosio at Dams claimed victory in Race 2.
After this reality check, it is now the Mexican – in his second year – who is leading in the drivers’ standings, two points clear from Pastor Maldonado at Rapax and Clos. With eleven points, ART’s Bianchi is the strongest rookie in the classification so far, but the season is not over, to say the least!
Third stop of the season and of the month: Turkey. Istanbul Park is considered as one of the most difficult and challenging circuits of the season: anti-clockwise, hard on tyres, hot temperatures, loads of overtaking opportunities due to being one of the widest tracks on our calendar. It is the venue where GP2 races always provide a highly entertaining show and undoubtedly this year will be no exception. In 2009, although Champion Nico Hülkenberg claimed pole position, it was then Vitaly Petrov who won Race 1 while Lucas di Grassi dominated Race 2 proving that any extra bit of experience certainly pays off on this demanding circuit.
Schedule
— Friday 28th May - 11.55 - 12.25: Practice - 16.00 - 16.30: Qualifying
— Saturday 29th May - 15.40: Feature Race
— Sunday 30th May - 11.35: Sprint Race