11/06/2006
NEWS STORY
ART Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton (1st) Alexandre Prémat (DNF)
Lewis Hamilton continued on his momentum from Monaco when he secured double victory on yet another historical circuit, that of Silverstone, located in the County of Northampton. Only pole position escaped the young Brit's grasp to make it a perfect weekend, and that was only by 4 thousandths of second!
The 10th and 11th rounds of the2006 GP2 championship are now added to his list together with the two best race laps and he now has the championship under control, with a 21 point advantage over Nelson Piquet Junior.
Almost as powerful as Lewis in qualifying, unfortunately Alexandre Premat, did not have know the same success in both races. Holding second in the first race at the end of his pit stop, the Frenchman was forced to undergo a drive through penalty for speeding in pitlane. After clawing his way back into the points, Alexandre was caught up behind a four way battle between Gimmi Bruni, Andreas Zuber, Giorgio Pantano and Ferdinando Monfardini and when Ferdinando crashed hard at Abbey, Alex spun in his wake to avoid an accident with the Italian. Thankfully he managed to continue on to finish in sixth place.
The second race did not smile on him either: Alexandre stalled at the start and was forced to start from the pits, but was left out of contention at the 4th corner when his car failed.
With a total of 67 points, Lewis consolidates his lead in the drivers championship. Alex is third just ten points behind Nelson Piquet Junior. With 103 points, ART Grand Prixe has more than double the amount of points of its nearest rival in the team classification.
Fred Vasseur: The weekend is two fold. Our performances are overall good, especially with Lewis, who graced us with a fabulous overtaking manoeuvre to pass Piccione and Piquet, on the same corner! Lewis was perfect: two victories and two lap records, faultless! Alexandre displayed the same level of competitiveness in qualifying, and it is a real shame that he could not cement his potential in the race.
Lewis Hamilton: It was a spectacular weekend for me and ART, who did a fantastic job as always, thanks to all its members! The weekend could have been perfect but for these 4 thousands of second in qualifying. Still, I enjoyed myself quite a lot in both races and I have to say that race 2 was a lot of fun, especially overtaking in Becketts! Two wins in a row with two fastest laps is a great performance and my position is good in the championship but as they say it's never over until it's over when it's in the bag, so I will push hard until the very last race and try to continue to deliver the same kind of performance.
Alexandre Prémat: I am very disappointed. Qualifying was okay and I was very competitive and that was encouraging for the race. I had a good start, and the team gave me a really good pit stop, but unfortunately I stopped the rev limiter a little too early so I was doing 61km/h instead of the 60 speed limit in pitlane, therefore I was penalized, but that is the way it goes. After taking my penalty, I was still able to fight for some big points, and that is proof of our level of performance in Silverstone. I had a large scare when Monfardini spun in front of me, and I am thrilled that I was able to avoid the catastrophe that could have been and secure points for 6th place. Given our competitiveness, the objective of the second race was obviously victory, but unfortunately a problem at the start destroyed our hopes. It is sad to loss two beautiful possibilities of fighting for victory. I hope that things are better at Magny-Cours.
Racing Engineering - Adam Carroll (2nd) Javier Villa (13th)
The Racing Engineering revival show was in full swing today in Silverstone with Adam Carroll building on yesterday's third placed finish by going one better, claiming second in race two at his home circuit to bring home a lucky thirteen points for the team from their most successful weekend of the year, so far.
Before the race Adam said that he was looking for more points today, starting as he did from sixth on the grid. But as usual the plucky Ulsterman found himself at the centre of an action packed race, holding his nerve as others fell all around him; Adam built on a storming start by muscling his way past most of his highly rated competition to finish third on track behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton and Felix Porteiro. The Spaniard was later stripped of his finish after checks in scrutineering found some irregularities with both Campos cars, handing second place to Adam.
Javier Villa had as tough a fight as his teammate, battling throughout the race with a number of drivers in a car that felt good right from the start, allowing him to take the fight to the others. Unfortunately the car went away slightly after the restart, but nonetheless the pace was there and he finished in a solid thirteenth position.
Team principal Alfonso de Orleans-Borbon was delighted with his team's efforts after the race, noting: Yesterday we lost a few positions, and today we gained a few positions. All in all two podiums, a third and a second, pole and quite a few points means that the team is there; we lost out a bit at the start of the year, but hopefully now we're gaining it all back and getting momentum. Adam was fantastic: I have to admit I was having a bit of a heart attack when there were three cars where there were only supposed to be one, but nothing happened, thank God! Javi is trying lots of things and getting experience; he's figured out that maybe the previous set up was not what he needed, and he was one of the quickest drivers in the first sector here. Overall it was probably the best race of the season, and we were on the podium again, although I do feel a little sorry for Felix. We're off to Paul Ricard next, and there's a long list of things to do, but I think we will consolidate a bit now."
Adam Carroll was thrilled to be on the podium again after such a tough race, stating: "It was a good race by everybody, really! The guys battled really well, drove really hard, and when the opportunity came around we were in a good position to make the most of it. When Nelson went a little wide I was close to Giorgio, and I could just go around them and take fourth, and then I just pushed hard up to Clivio, got a good slipstream in the straight, pulled out and took him. I had high hopes coming here anyway of turning everything around, and we're working hard enough, so I'm pretty happy."
Back in the truck after the race Javier Villa said: Today was better than yesterday; the car was good and I could move up. After the safety car our car changed a little bit; it was pushing back a little bit and was difficult in the slower parts of the track; but it was still better, and we were only a little bit off for speed. I'm sure, with a bit more work at the tests, it will be really good."
DPR Direxiv - Clivio Piccione (3rd) Mike Conway (11th)
Clivio Piccione's 4th place finish at Silverstone this morning gained he and the DPR Direxiv™ team valuable championship points but the Monegasque driver was denied the podium finish he so desperately wanted. For Briton Mike Conway, his second only GP2 race saw another solid performance to a 12th place finish.
Starting from 2nd on the grid, Piccione made a good start at the beginning of what was to be a very close and exciting race. He held onto pole-sitter Porteiro but soon came under pressure from Piquet and a hard-charging Hamilton who had come through the field from 8th place. One of the most exciting moves of the race came on lap 9 when Piccione found himself squeezed on the track by both Piquet and Hamilton.
"We were three abreast into Becketts with Piquet on my left. I tried to defend but then the ART car arrived and I found myself in the middle. Going through such a quick corner I didn't want to be the cheese in the sandwich. They were going to squeeze me so I backed off but then saw Piquet going off. We haven't had bad luck but we haven't had very good luck. I'm obviously a bit disappointed as I was hoping for a podium."
Conway had another good race after another difficult start. "I held it a bit too long I think. I had a good biting point but didn't release quick enough, got wheel spin and lost a lot of places. Everyone was dicing and fighting across the circuit but I made a bit of progress through the field. I touched with Tahinci and bent the front tracking arm on my car I had to fight the steering a bit. It was heavier in some corners than others. There was a lot to learn this weekend, a lot to take in, but I enjoyed the whole weekend. It was a good experience. If you make a small mistake someone can get on the power slightly earlier than you and you are passed but that works the other way too. I managed to pass some people that way."
Piquet Sports - Nelson Piquet Jr (4th)
Nelson Piquet Jr was cruelly denied a certain podium, and possible race victory, in today's GP2 sprint race when he was squeezed off the track, forcing him to smash through signage. Luckily, he managed to get the car back on the circuit, and was able to finish the race in sixth position, collecting one championship point.
The 24 lap race started with Felix Porteiro on pole, with Nelson in fifth position. Alex Premat, starting in front of Nelson, stalled on the grid, and Nelson was therefore promoted to fourth place, behind Giorgio Pantano. After the start, Pantano put Nelson on the grass, but the Brazilian kept his position and pushed hard, overtaking Pantano for third place in the early part of the first lap.
He was on the tail of second-placed Clivio Piccione until a safety car was deployed on lap 6. After the restart Lewis Hamilton took fourth place from Pantano and started to gain on Nelson, who was held up by Porteiro and Piccione. On lap 9, Nelson took his best chance of overtaking Piccione and was alongside him to the left. Hamilton then went to the right of Piccione, who moved to his left, forcing Nelson to take evasive action onto the grass.
He smashed through signage, luckily not damaging the car too badly, and rejoined the pack in 7th place. On lap 14 he moved up to sixth, and although he pushed Pantano hard, he was not able to gain any further places.
There is now a break in the GP2 calendar while Formula One travels to America and Canada. It will get underway again at Magny Cours to support the French Grand Prix from 14-16 July.
Nelson Piquet Jr: "I'm really unhappy with the result today because we could have won this race. It was pretty
difficult to overtake, but even though my car wasn't great I was faster than Piccione. It wouldn't have been impossible to pass him but he was doing some strange things which held me up. After I went off the track the car was worse, and I couldn't make up any places once I dropped to sixth."
Super Nova International - Fairuz Fauzy (7th) Jose Maria Lopez (14th)
Today's sprint race consisted of only 23 entries, after the Durango's cars were disqualified after a stewards enquiry yesterday, for not adhering to technical regulations. Therefore after an additional formation lap due to cars stalling on the grid, Super Nova's Fairuz Fauzy started in 11th position, quickly moving up 4 positions. He drove some solid sectors finishing the 23 laps in 8th place. A more positive end to the weekend. Jose Maria Lopez began from the back of the grid, and fought his way to 13th position. In the later part of the race the team took the decision to hold Jose back to find a clear gap behind Trident's driver Bruni. Here Jose made his quickest lap of 1: 31.749 proving the Argentinean driver is well capable of the competitive speeds needed to be at the front of the grid.
Fellow Brits Lewis Hamilton & Adam Carroll showed off some impressive overtaking maneuvers to finish 1st & 3rd. The Spanish Campos driver Porteiro completed the podium in between them taking 2nd place.
Team Principal - David Sears: "It's great that Fairuz has improved over the course of the weekend, it's important now to use the coming test for further development. Starting from the back of the grid, it was unlikely Jose would get any points, so the team pushed for a quick lap time, rather than moving up the field. Again the test will be valuable time for all the team"
Jose Maria Lopez: "I like this circuit, and enjoy driving here. Unfortunately we used the race for testing this weekend. The car is feeling better, after finding some things that worked in qualifying. We have the lap record at Paul Ricard, so hopefully the test later this month this will help us develop more. I think the next race will be much better!"
Fairuz Fauzy: "I'm really pleased as this is my best ever result in GP2! It's great that we have progressed throughout the weekend, and I am looking forward developing more with the test later this month."
Trident Racing - Gimmi Bruni (14h) Andreas Zuber (DNF)
Starting from the back of the grid, for race 2 Trident Racing drivers could not do that much here in Silverstone. Andreas Zuber's race came to an end just after the start because another driver pushed him to the pitwall. Gimmi Bruni crossed the finish line but out of the points. The English event has been positive for Trident Racing just up until five laps from the end of race 1, then things went wrong for today's race. This is motor racing. The GP2 Series has reached the end of the first part of the 2006 championship. The next official commitment will be a test session at Paul Ricard at the end of the month, while Formula 1 will race in North America, then competitions will restart at the French Grand Prix in Magny-Cours. Trident Racing will use this break to embark on a busy technical schedule in order to fully exploit the tests and get back on the podium during the second part of the season. As Team Owner Maurizio Salvadori emphasised: "This pause for us will mean the chance to take a breath and compile a very busy technical program. We will positively commit with all our resources to achieve strong results in Magny-Cours" A special "get well soon" to Ferdinando Monfardini from all Trident Racing personnel.
DAMS - Franck Perera (15th) Ferdinando Monfardini (Withdrawn)
Franck Perera was the only DAMS driver on the start of sunday's race at Silverstone after Ferdinando Monfardini withdrawal due to hi crash in Saturday's long race. Ferdinando left the medical centre Saturday night and will return to Italy Sunday night, there was no injury found from Saturday's accident and he will be fit for Paul Ricard test in 2 weeks.
Franck did a strong performance with 11th place as he started from the end of the field. Franck overtook several competitors with authority, he keeps confident for the remaining events as Silverstone results are not the consequence of a lack of performance but circumstances & race facts.
Arden International - Neel Jani (DNF) Michael Ammermueller (DNF)
Silverstone was a weekend to forget for the Arden team as neither driver scored any points during the two races. Just to make matters worse the team suffered everyone's biggest nightmare as both cars managed to run into each other!
After their technical problems in the Saturday race supersub Neel Jani and Michael Ammermueller started well down the field. Both drivers had made good starts and were making reasonable progress when Michael made a passing move on Franck Perera going into the lefthander at Club on the sixth lap.
Unfortunately, he misjudged things slightly and nudged the innocent Neel on the entry to the corner. Both cars spun, and neither driver was able to continue. They had plenty to talk about as they returned to the pits, but accepted that the incident was just one of those things that sometimes hits even the best teams.
There is now a long break until the next race at Magny-Cours in July, but the team will still be busy as there is a major test at Paul Ricard in the interim. It has yet to be decided who will drive the second car as Nicolas Lapierre is still recovering from his Monaco injury.
Michael Ammermueller: 'I wanted to overtake Perera and unfortunately, I touched Neel. It didn't make a big difference, because it would have been impossible to score points. It's not a big problem for Neel because he's only doing one race. The car was very good, so it was disappointing. These things can happen in racing. I've only raced once at Magny-Cours, in Formula Renault. Meanwhile in the test we have to find something, especially for qualifying.'
Neel Jani: 'After yesterday when we had really good pace today I thought we could make up some positions. It looked good, actually. I was 10th after the first lap and then I had a little tingle mingle or however you call it in English with Viso, and I went wide. So two cars passed me. Michael tried to overtake some guy behind me, and he hit my side. There was nothing I could do. In the end I'm just here for one race, so it's not a big deal. It's been fun, tough as well, but I think we had good pace. It's always fun when you go quickly.'
Christian Horner: 'Michael was passing Perera and ran out of braking and unfortunately hit his team mate. It's one of those things that sums up a frustrating weekend for the Arden boys, but they'll come back strong. Michael's pace looked strong over the weekend and Neel acquitted himself well in difficult circumstances. Hopefully we'll see Nicolas back in the car in France.'