ART hails perfect weekend at Monza

A one two finish in qualifying was followed by a one two finish in the first race of the GP2 Main Series for ART Grand Prix, who realized their strongest weekend of the season at the Monza circuit in Italy.

Jules Bianchi and Sam Bird dominated the opening performances over this unique and uncharacteristic circuit and their success was heightened by two fastest race laps.

On Saturday, Sam Bird gave ART Grand Prix their first victory of the season and followed it up with a fourth podium finish the following day, moving him up to 5th place in the championship.

Meanwhile, with his two points finishes, (2nd and 4th) his 3rd pole position and a 4th podium finish, Jules Bianchi made it possible to still be in the fight for second place in the general classification. This ambitious objective for a rookie will hopefully be realized for him and ART Grand Prix in the next round in Abu Dhabi.

Jules Bianchi: “My 3rd pole position of the season gave me great pleasure, partly because nobody has done any better this year, and partly because it was a great reward after the past few weeks which were difficult following my accident at the Hungaroring. Saturday I got off to a good start but Sam reacted better than I did and got past me at the first turn. I was determined to return the favour, but things can be complicated after a safety car. I found myself locking up in the first turn and my car went off losing me a place as well as time. I attacked in order to recover 2nd place and although I could pass the two iSport drivers, Sam was already far ahead and it was important that we secured the double for ART Grand Prix from the two championships’ point of view. On Sunday, my start was not that fantastic; but I aimed for the points and I did not want to take too many risks because the balance of my car was not perfect to me. I went from 7th to 4th and it was a good performance before the final round at Abu Dhabi where I am hoping to finish the championship in 2nd place, which was only a dream after the Hungaroring.”

Sam Bird: “Finally a weekend that smiles on us from A to Z! The GP2 Series is a championship of a very high level where the smallest mistake compromises the integrity of your performance and I was in a hurry to be able to have a perfect weekend for the first time this year. This was the case at Monza and when the car goes, it goes! Saturday, I had a very good start which enabled me to take the lead. I extended the gap gradually and the team gave me a great pit stop. The victory may appear easy under these conditions but it was necessary to stay focused and I am glad to have been able to give ART Grand Prix their first victory of the season. The following day, I had another good start and I
overtook a lot of cars. I ended up in the wake of d’Ambrosio but despite my ambitions I was in the turbulence and I was unable to find a way past. Two podiums, one a victory, with two fastest race laps, it was one perfect weekend, but it was well deserved and I hope that we will repeat the same form in Abu Dhabi.”

Frederic Vasseur: “We have had our share of difficult weekends this year but the Monza one was perfect. A one two in qualifying and race one, with two best laps, one cannot be too upset if we didn’t secure victory in the second race… we were not far off but race circumstances decided a different outcome. Sam and Jules were perfect throughout the entire weekend and I am proud of the work completed by ART Grand Prix, which still has a mathematical chance of taking the teams championship and finishing the drivers’ championship in 2nd place. It will be our goal in Abu Dhabi.”