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Monaco - Race 1 Quotes

NEWS STORY
23/05/2008

iSport - Bruno Senna (Winner) Karun Chandhok (3rd)

Bruno Senna scored iSport's first victory of the 2008 GP2 season with a mature drive through the streets of Monte Carlo. Starting second in the grid, the Brazilian made a lightning start to lead into the first turn and he controlled the race from that moment on. He also set fastest lap and has moved up to second in the championship standings, just two points adrift of series leader Giorgio Pantano.

Senna's most worrying moment occurred when Pantano blocked the track at Mirabeau corner, after another driver had pushed him off the track. The iSport crew kept the leader informed about the impending traffic chaos, however, and he was able to pick his way through without losing too much time.
Senna's team-mate Karun Chandhok gained one place at the start to run fifth in the race's opening stages, but other drivers' errors later enabled him to move into a safe fourth place. With just half a lap to go, however, Mike Conway (Trident) spun off after being hit by a lapped car and Karun swept through to finish third.

Bruno Senna: "This feels great. My car had good, consistent pace throughout the race and I was able to control the gap to Pastor. He kept coming at me, but I was always able to respond. I was just trying to drive as quickly as I could without harming my tyres.

"I had plenty of warning about the incident at Mirabeau: the guys spoke to me on the radio and told me to stay left, because the track was clearer on that side. I was worried about having to stop for too long because the engine temperatures are quite marginal here, but in the end I was only delayed a few seconds. I couldn't ease up at all, because Pastor was always close, but every aspect of the race worked well and I am grateful to the team for giving me such a good car.

"I'm delighted to score my maiden victory in Monaco. Rest assured, I have every intention of adding to that tally in future."

Karun Chandhok: "There wasn't much I could do in the early stages, because I was penned in fifth and overtaking is pretty much impossible around here. I passed Adrian Valles during the pit stops, but at the same time lost a place to Romain Grosjean. I clawed that back at Mirabeau, though, when Romain simply drove into Pantano's stranded car.

"After that I thought I'd probably have to settle for fourth - I couldn't believe it when I saw Mike's car off the road at the end. I allowed myself a chuckle during the final half-lap. I feel sorry for Mike, but we were probably due a little luck.

"Achieving a podium finish in Monaco is really special - anybody who doesn't enjoy coming here really shouldn't be a racing driver: it gives you a buzz unlike any other circuit."

Super Nova - Alvaro Parente (5th) Christian Bakkerud (10th)

Super Nova are celebrating two well deserved top ten finishes here today in the first ever Friday GP2 race in the Principality of Monaco!

Glorious sunshine spilled onto the legendary streets as all twenty-five cars got through the ruthless first turn unscathed. Bruno Senna made a brilliant start for iSport, taking the crucial lead from the grid ahead of polesitter Pastor Maldondado.

Alvaro came into the pit lane ahead of his team mate Christian, where Super Nova executed two great stops, gaining valuable time. Both drove solid clean races, on a circuit renowned for its incredibly narrow roads, high curbs and unforgiving crash barriers.

A massive traffic jam threatened to cause mass destruction on lap 27 when Pantano and Buemi came together and blocked off the entire road, causing serious congestion! Several cars were too damaged, and retired thereafter. Finally after 45 laps seventeen cars finished, Alvaro P5 and Christian P10, collecting 4 points for the team.

Try as he might Maldondado was unable to catch up with the iSport car, who stole the show today 0.6 seconds ahead of the Piquet Sports car. Senna not only won, but took fastest lap & was joined by his team mate on the podium Karun Chandok in third.

Team Principal David Sears: "What a great race today with Alvaro Parente finishing in a fine 5th place, supported by Christian Bakkerud finishing in an excellent 10th place. Alvaro starts on the 2nd row of the grid, for the reverse top 8 grid tomorrow, & has moved back up to fourth in the drivers championship. Christian has a real chance to finish in the point. Bruno Senna drove a faultless race to win, & iSport are at the top of the teams' championship again."

Alvaro Parente: "I got a good start and managed to pass one car. I had traffic all around, so it was tough throughout the whole race. I got past Pantano though, that felt good! We had a good pit stop, where I think we gained some time. It's a shame we couldn't pass Valles but there is just no room here. But I'm pleased with the result"

Christian Bakkerud: "I'm really pleased to finish top ten, with no problems! My back has been fine, so that's something. The start was alright. I lost a place but gained it back again. It's a shame Pantano spun in front and held everyone up, as I think I could have got P8, but its Monaco, its an amazing circuit & enjoyed every lap! Starting from P10 tomorrow, anything can happen. Its hard to overtake so I'm hoping a few will drop out."

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