06/08/2006
NEWS STORY
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Nelson Piquet Jr has made GP2 series history by taking the first ever perfect weekend. The Brazilian won today's race in torrential conditions, setting fastest lap along the way to bring home a perfect score of 20 points after taking pole position and the race one win and fastest lap over the two preceding days. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton finished second with his team-mate Alex Prémat third for ART Grand Prix.
As the Hungaroring was drenched in torrential rain, the 28 lap race was started behind the safety car. After three laps the field of 26 cars was unleashed and José Mariá López led away from pole, under immediate pressure from second placed Adam Carroll. As the drivers struggled to find adhesion on the slippery track, José spun out of the lead on the exit of Turn 2, and Adam was left in charge at the front.
Xandi Negrão now sat second, with Alex third, Nelson a great fourth from eighth on the grid and Lewis an incredible fifth from tenth. At the start of lap four however, Xandi lost it under braking for Turn 1 and clattered into the barriers. Adam continued to pull out a strong lead from Alex, but the Frenchman was under big pressure from the rampant Nelson. It was on the sixth lap that the Brazilian made his move, passing Alex for second in clinical fashion. Second became first on the very next lap as Adam spun into the barriers and took out his front wing.
On the next lap Lucas di Grassi passed Ferdinando Monfardini for fifth but the Brazilian was out on the next lap, spinning off at Turn 3. Lewis meanwhile was all over Alex's rear wing and as the Frenchman struggled for grip, Lewis nipped up the inside and took second. Timo Glock was making steady progress along with his team-mate Ernesto Viso and the pair scythed through the field, eventually taking fourth and fifth positions, relegating Ferdinando to sixth.
Nelson meanwhile was miles ahead, setting fastest lap after fastest lap to draw out a huge gap on Lewis, eventually taking the chequered flag and his place in GP2 series history by almost 13 seconds after a shortened 23-lap race when the allotted 45 minute time slot ran out. Alex was third with Ernesto and Timo on his rear wing, as Ferdinando took the final point in sixth place.
Lewis' points today put him on 87, but Nelson's perfect weekend means he has cut the gap to 11 points. Alex is now third on 56, with Timo fourth on 50, Ernesto fifth on 42 and Gimmi Bruni sixth with 33. In the teams' championship ART Grand Prix leads on 143, 50 ahead of iSport International in second. Piquet Sports lies third with 88 and Arden fourth on 50 points.
1st Nelson Piquet Jr – Piquet Sports: It feels excellent. I'm very relieved, and I think the relief you have when you've done what you've always dreamed of doing feels wonderful. It was the way it should be every weekend: very good.
2nd Lewis Hamilton – ART Grand Prix: To come from tenth to second was a good achievement for us, and Alex was third so good team points. I think it's positive to come away with this and I'm looking forward to the next race.
3rd Alex Prémat – ART Grand Prix: It was a really hard drive and the visibility was not good. The traction was OK, but it was hard to drive today. I think Lewis had a better set-up, but I had a good fight with Viso and Glock so to have a podium is nice.