the worlds best young drivers fighting for a place in Formula 1

The insider
round 12 singapore, 21-23 september 2012
gallery razia Valsecchi The blog supplier to gp2/gp3

davides delight

Valsecchi crowned GP2 Series champion in Singapore read more

DAMS seal team title in nail-biting final race

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Fourth place was enough for Valsecchi to take the title

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Gp3

Q+A: davide valsecchi

Davide Valsecchi, 2012 GP2 champion: what does that mean to you? Its unbelievable! Its a really good feeling, and Im really, really happy, because this year we had a great season: I drove really well and our car was really competitive almost every time, so Im really happy that at the end, when it was really important, we had the victory last time in Monza and we were one of the best this weekend too. When it was important, me and DAMS didnt make any mistakes, and we showed this year with four victories, with ten podiums and with six fastest laps that we were the best! I hope tomorrow to have a really good job, and to pay back DAMS for the car they gave to me all season long, and to beat Lotus for the teams championship.

the blog // by the water cooler

The one thing all drivers share is the passion for driving a car designed to be fast on the very edge of what it can do. And its at an extreme edge, driving them in the Singapore heat. Davide joked about it afterwards, saying how hard it is to race here, how you get to a stage where all you want to do is have a drink but the water is too hot to swallow. Esteban did too: ItsDillmann a hard race denied here, so hot, and you lose a lotwin of Valsecchi a fourth weight in the race. I lost 2kg and, considering my weight, thats a big percentage to lose!

DRIVER STANDINGS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Davide Valsecchi Luiz Razia Esteban Gutirrez Max Chilton James Calado Fabio Leimer Marcus Ericsson Johnny Cecotto Felipe Nasr Jolyon Palmer 247 222 176 169 160 152 124 104 95 78

racecard // singapore
singapore // feature race: max chilton // sprint race: giedo van der garde
Closing the season at a new track was never going to be an easy task. And with rain disrupting the only practice session of the weekend, the drivers entered qualifying still having to learn the track. Even that didnt run as smoothly as hoped. With the times falling at the end of the session, Nigel Melkers crash at the tunnel brought out the red flags and left the then leader Luca Filippi on pole. However, the Italian had a shocking race start, and Max Chilton duly took over at the front from P2 on the grid. He was followed by Esteban Gutirrez and Fabio Leimer. The race became one of tyre strategy, with degradation affecting almost everyone in the field, apart from the top three. Somehow, they remained relatively unfazed by their tyres, setting competitive and quick laps all the way to the chequered flag. The race itself finished under a safety car following a big crash for Filippi at the final corner. Behind the top three, Luiz Razia fought hard to follow home Davide Valsecchi, and the Italian was duly crowned 2012 GP2 Series champion. But with DAMS and Lotus scoring an equal number of points in the Feature race, the teams championship was still to be decided on Sunday. Pole sitter Giedo van der Garde got the perfect start in the Sprint race, followed into turn one by Marcus Ericsson and Razia flying into third. In a race disrupted by a safety car once again, it was the leaders who were able to look after their tyres as those behind struggled. Razia ultimately lost third to Leimer after a great battle between the duo, and as Valsecchi kept Gutirrez at bay and Felipe Nasr fought through to seventh place, DAMS took their first ever GP2 team title. Singapore had been a wonderful new host venue for the championship. And it was only fitting that a gripping conclusion to one of the greatest championships in the Series history was played out in front of such a spectacular backdrop.

A fight to the finish

of Formula One, and the level is so high that if everything is not perfect, you cannot win. There are teams like Lotus, DAMS, iSport, Racing Engineering, Addax, Arden, every one has won in the past. And there are such good drivers that it is really hard to be the champion here. So it is great news for me, great news for DAMS, and this year we were able to show that we are the best. We were the best at the beginning of the season, we were not so lucky in the middle of the season and I saw the stewards a bit GP2 is always a championship that too much [laughs], but when it was rewards experience, which you important in the end we came back, have, but what has made this year driving really well, having a good different than previous years? car, and showing that we can come We need to say that, in GP2, there are back strong enough to take back the best drivers in the world outside the championship.

DAMS took their first teams championship in Singapore. On a weekend in which Davide Valsecchi wrapped up the drivers title, it couldnt have been much better.

dams & Davide valsecchi

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Giedo van der Garde 160

Max Chilton on his way up to Formula 1

25
point lead for

singapore // The stats

Sealed third in the drivers standings with a podium, denying teammate James Calado and Carlins Max Chilton.

esteban gutirrez

johnny cecotto
A drive-through penalty, a change of tyre compound, back of the field. Safety car, a wonderful drive, and narrowly missing out on the points. Great entertainment.

Sprint race

valsecchi

Nathanal Berthon 60

in the final table

FEATURE race

TEAM STANDINGS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 DAMS Lotus GP 342 336 Arden International 226 Racing Engineering 212 Carlin Caterham Racing 207 166 iSport International 202 Barwa Addax Team 131

chilton gets f1 chance at marussia

GP2 Series race winner Max Chilton has been announced as the Marussia F1 Teams new reserve driver, with effect from the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix. Chilton, who has taken two poles and two wins for the Marussiabacked Carlin team in GP2 this season, will play a key part in engineering meetings for the remainder of the season, and is expected to take part in some free practice sessions later in the year. As part of our commitment to supporting the next generation of racing talent, we naturally keep a close eye on the feeder formulae, particularly those which race alongside us on the F1 calendar, said John Booth, the Marussia F1 Team Principal. In the role of our reserve driver for the rest of the 2012 season, Max will be exposed to the demands of competing in Formula 1 to the extent that he will be fully prepared to step into the MR01 should it be required. We look forward to having him on board as part of the Marussia F1 Team, he added. Im delighted to be given this opportunity to be part of the Marussia F1 Team for the remainder of the season, said Chilton. My racing has matured this season and to combine that with real insight into the level of preparation required of an F1 driver, moves my career onto the next level.

At the end of a staggering debut season, James Calados chances of third in the standings were dashed by food poisoning. He battled for 55 minutes of the Feature Race but had to call it a day. A valiant fight.

James Calado

Van der Garde ended the season on a high

Rookie seasons are never easy, and so it was a shame for GP2s newest team to end with a double DNF in Singapore, and just one point overall for its 2012 season.

Venezuela gp lazarus

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gallery // The insider view

Some moments from Pirellis 2012 GP2 and GP3 seasons...

Q&A Luiz rAzia

Arden international
Luiz, you pushed hard for the championship all year: the dream ends here, but are you satisfied with your season? First, its very important to go back a little bit: at the beginning of the season nobody thought I could fight for the championship. But we went to Malaysia, and I won the first race; that opened a new level of performance from the team. I worked really hard throughout the season. I went every day to the gym, I put my soul into racing, and this is how far weve come. Weve had brilliant results this year: four victories and nine podiums, but Im disappointed because we had an opportunity to win. Overall, we have to be pleased, because after a whole season of pushing the limits at every race we found a new level, a new driver, a new Luiz. And if we keep doing that, we can go to another level of commitment next season. Youre right, the results have been phenomenal: what in particular do you credit for the turnaround?

When you pass through some hard moments in your life you get very strong in your mind. In terms of racing, things have been tough, so because of that Ive committed myself to racing this season. I havent had a personal life, no alcohol, no parties, go to sleep early, wake up early, no rest. I found a new level of commitment, but I believe I can do more and become an even better driver. Your good friend Davide has just pipped you to the title, do you have any thoughts on the fight you had with him? Davide did a brilliant job: at the beginning of the season he was very strong, but we turned it around in the middle of the season and were ahead for four races, which was really good because we were the only two teams to lead the championship. He pulled together after a bit of bad luck, and he improved as a driver as well. At the end of the day, he got the lead in Monza and it was very difficult for me here. I had the chance to steal it, but it was difficult: we both drove well today but he didnt have any problems, and that was it.

Red hot! Super Soft tyres were seen for the first time this season around the streets of Monaco

tyre rules have helped an unforgettable GP2 season!

For Pirelli, the second season of supplying GP2 has been even more exciting than the first, thanks to close competition from start to finish and new tyre rules that have been designed to bring the feeder series even closer to Formula One. There have been some unforgettable victories, dramatic moments and truly deserving champions in Davide Valsecchi and DAMS, who clinched the title at the final round in Singapore. Part of Valsecchis success was down to the Italians ability to look after his tyres and get the most out of them over a whole race weekend, but as the season went on his rivals also mastered the art of tyre management and a thrilling battle followed. In terms of tyre rules and how the tyres were used, GP2 took a real step forward this season, said Pirellis racing manager Mario Isola. That gave the drivers more opportunity to show their skills and the teams the chance to make up places through clever strategy. Often we saw some great results from people who dared to try something different: particularly if they started from lower down the grid. Davide was consistent right from the start of the season and his DAMS team made the right tactical calls to make the most of his abilities. The teams championship was even closer, with the title being decided at the very final sprint race in the heat and humidity of Singapore, which GP2 visited for the first time this year. Singapore was not only a new experience but also a big challenge for the GP2 drivers and teams, added Isola. With the sessions being held later in the day than usual, the track evolution followed a different pattern to how it would be normally, which had a significant effect on tyre behaviour. Most of the drivers had never experienced 75% humidity before, so it was also a big physical challenge for them. This is just one new experience where the GP2 drivers have really grown with the tyres, which makes them well-prepared for Formula One. Proof of this was provided by Singapore feature race winner Max Chilton, who was recently announced as Marussias third driver, adding to the total of more than 50 GP2 drivers who have been given the chance to drive Formula One machinery. Over the course of the year, Pirelli produced around 25,000 tyres for the GP2 and GP3 Series (which concluded in Monza), while Pirellis GP2 trucks each travelled around 77,000 kilometres to support the 12-round season.

Feeling Blue: wet weather tyres were put to good use throughout a rain-affected season

From top: when the DAMS team said theyd hit the bars to celebrate Valsecchis win, this wasnt what they had in mind; Simon Trummer soaks up the Singapore rays; There could only be one winner in the title showdown, but Valsecchi and Razia both played their part in an epic GP2 season; Indonesias Rio Haryanto enjoys GP2s first excursion to the Far East

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2:02.833

singapore // The stats

Fastest LAP of the WEEKEnD

by nathanael berthon in the sprint race

A quick peek at the subtle art of the pirelli tyre fitters

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Gallery

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trophy time in milan

Following the epic season finale in Monza plus another fantastic year in GP3 Series, Milan was the scene for the annual prize-giving ceremony. Mitch Evans was all smiles as he received his Winners trophy along with Daniel Abt collecting the silverware for vicechampion, whilst Lotus GP celebrated the remarkable honour of becoming triple team champions. A nice gesture came from Antonio Felix da Costa who handed over his Dallara award for best race win to team-mate William Buller, following the Brits magnificent victory in Silverstone Race 2, showing the team spirit amongst the GP3 paddock.

isports new status in gp3

Title-winning GP2 Series team iSport International and leading GP3 Series team Status Grand Prix have forged an alliance to promote driver talent on the Formula One support series ladder. The two UK-based teams have established the iSport/Status GP Performance Partnership, which will see the leading Status GP driver in the 2013 championship win a prize drive with iSports GP2 Series team. Status GPs drivers in the 2013 GP3 Series will also be evaluated by iSport at their simulator and these assessments, combined with the seasons results, will determine which driver receives the prize test. This link will help promote drivers through the tiers, said iSport Team Principal Paul Jackson. Knowledge of Pirelli P Zero race tyres and Formula One circuits are vital parts of a drivers training, and the partnership extends our shared ethos of supporting driver talent. Status Team Principal Teddy Yip Jr added: We are delighted to establish this link with one of the most respected GP2 teams. The alliance will assist our drivers to prepare for the next step to GP2 from the start of the season. Combining engineering know-how during race weekends is also key in maximising both teams performance and providing our respective drivers with the best chance of success.

My Hero:
Michael Schumacher: Growing up, he was a big inspiration for me. He was winning everything and the way he built Ferrari around him showed a lot of character. His mentality for the sport and his commitment is amazing.

Q+A: mitch evans

the clutch lever and I didnt nail it. I paid the price for that in turn one, so I should take the blame. I was unfortunate to get the damage to the car going over the kerb and I couldnt continue. In Race 2, I drove my heart out and made up 18 positions. I was around P7 and catching the leaders, so it would have been good to have seen where I ended up, but unfortunately we got a puncture. Its been a huge emotional rollercoaster this weekend. To have two bad races and win the championship is quite unusual, but its also amazing. And its great for everyone in your team MW Arden to win a trophy... Exactly. The whole team are great. They put their heart and soul into it and sometimes dont get the rewards. This year we got the results we deserved. Unfortunately we couldnt get the teams championship yesterdays race didnt really help that. Congratulations to Lotus GP, triple champions is really impressive. They have been dominant all three seasons. I know my team really wanted that trophy so its a shame we missed out. But this one is for them, I know how hard they worked for it.

tamas pal kiss

ethan ringel
Ayrton Senna: He was always the best at driving in the rain and thats what I want to do. I loved the Senna movie too. Of the current drivers, I really enjoy watching Jenson Button, he seems a really nice guy and I love the McLaren team. Mitch Evans, GP3 Series 2012 champion... how does that sound to you? I have no words to describe this, its a dream come true. Ive sacrificed my whole life for this and its so rewarding to win a title in my second year. The support Ive had back home and here has been unbelievable. There are so many people who made this possible. This championship isnt just for me, its for so many people. You led for most of the championship, but how difficult was it having to wait on other results this weekend? I felt really comfortable for the race, but I got a shocking start. I had a problem with

John wartique
Jenson Button: I love his style of driving. David, my engineer at Atech, says I have a very similar style very smooth steering and good on my tyres. I really like the McLaren team as I use their simulator, so Jenson is my favourite driver.