Davide Valsecchi storms to sprint race victory in GP2

Davide Valsecchi has stormed to his second consecutive victory in Bahrain this weekend, passing Esteban Gutierrez on the final lap of the sprint race after starting from 8th. British driver James Calado came 3rd, after leading the early stages of the race.

There was a slight delay to the start of the sprint race, as the DAMS of Felipe Nasr ground to a halt on the formation lap. This then lead to the other drivers’, who had all lined up on the grid ready for the start, to begin another formation lap as the marshals ran to the aid of Brazilian rookie. Frenchman Tom Dillmann also suffered a setback as the field began the second formation lap, as the Rapax driver stalled on the grid. This meant both Dillmann and Nasr would have to start from the pit-lane.

As the race finally got underway, James Calado got off to a sensational start as he streaked to the lead heading down into turn 1. Further back, there was slight tangle as a melee of cars battled heading through turns 1 and 2.

On the opening lap, World Championship leader Davide Valsecchi made a decisive pass on Luiz Razia, as Esteban Gutierrez passed Fabio Leimer for 2nd place. This left the two Lotus drivers’ heading the field after the opening lap. Johnny Cecotto jr. was seen entering the pit-lane after the first lap with a damaged front, as Brendon Hartley’s front wing was destroyed down the start/finish straight after making contact. This incident prematurely ended the Kiwi’s race.

After taking the lead on the opening lap, James Calado was now coming under serious pressure from his team-mate Gutierrez. However, with the two jostling for position, this allowed Fabio Leimer to sneak up to the pack, and eventually repass Gutierrez for 2nd. Behind the top three, Max Chilton and Davide Valsecchi were fighting amongst themselves for 4th.

James Calado then began to move backwards, initially loosing the lead to Fabio Leimer on lap 5 before his team-mate Gutierrez muscled his way through, leaving Calado struggling to keep his tyres alive. With Fabio Leimer now opening up a considerable gap to Gutierrez out front, eyebrows were raised as it became clear that the stewards were investigating race leader Leimer for ignoring yellow flags.

As Leimer’s lead became potentially at risk from the stewards, Davide Valsecchi began his race charge as he flew passed Chilton for 4th and then Calado for 3rd on two consecutive laps. This race was then turned on it’s head as the stewards issued race leader Fabio Leimer with a drive-thru penalty for ignoring yellow flags, a move which ultimately issued Gutierrez the lead, with Valsecchi reeling in the Mexican in 2nd.

Further down the pack, an intense battle between Tom Dillmann, Dani Clos and Marcus Ericsson was taking place. After taking his drive-thru penalty, Fabio Leimer suddenly found himself involved in the battle, after leading the race only several laps before.

As the race entered its closing stages, Esteban Gutierrez was coming under serious pressure from Davide Valsecchi, who was calmly catching the Mexican at a steady pace. On the final lap, Valsecchi made his move heading down into turn 1, eventually streaming passed Gutierrez on the outside of turn 2. The final lap was then a tense ordeal, as Gutierrez struggled to find a way back around Valsecchi, with the leading pair catching back-markers Gonzalez and Serenelli.

Esteban Gutierrez was unable to find a way back around the Italian of Valsecchi, who stormed to his second consecutive race win of the weekend, a move which propels him further into the lead of the Drivers’ Championship.

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