Having been one of the front-runners in last week's test session at the Yas Marina circuit, Davide Valsecchi confirmed his good form in today's GP2 Asia Series season opener in Abu Dhabi. The Italian posted the quickest lap-time in free practice (1:53.689), 1.4 seconds clear of rookie Marcus Ericsson at ART Grand Prix.

The session started on a dirty and slippery track. Although Luca Filippi (Meritus) claimed the top spot in the early stages, Valsecchi edged his countryman out of it only nine minutes into the session. He then remained the quickest man on track until the chequered flag.

Behind the flying Italian, the rest of the field continued fighting for the crumbs, except for Josef Kral (Super Nova) who stopped at turn 4 just before mid-session following what looked like a mechanical problem.

The rookies made their presence felt with Sam Bird (ART), Fabio Leimer (Ocean Racing), Kral, Edoardo Piscopo (DAMS) and Alexander Rossi (Ocean Racing) all front-runners in the first fifteen minutes. Amidst the young guns, Filippi and Roldan Rodriguez (Coloni) tried to keep up with Valsecchi, but never really came close.

With most of the pack in the pits, DPR's Michael Herck who decided to come out late, took advantage of better grip and a clear track to set his best time and slipped into second place. He was edged out a few minutes before the chequered flag by the best rookie of the morning, Ericsson.

On his last lap, for good measure, Valsecchi found even more pace to improve in all three sectors and fire in a lap seven-tenths quicker than his previous best leaving Ericsson 1.4 seconds adrift although the Swedish also improved in his last attempt.