Winning start for Ocean Racing Technology

Ocean Racing Technology started the GP2 Main Series championship on the right foot in Barcelona (Spain) this weekend by securing victory in the sprint race thanks to Fabio Leimer.

The Swiss driver now sits in 2nd place in the drivers’ championship, and the Portuguese team is 3rd in the teams’ championship.

Fabio Leimer had an excellent start from pole position and led the race from the first to the last lap and at the half way mark was more than four seconds ahead of his nearest rival. At the end of the race Fabio had to to take it easy on his tyres, which were showing signs of wear, but it was not enough to make him lose his focus and he crossed the finish line to secure his debut win in the series, the second for Ocean Racing Technology after Spa-Francorchamps in 2009.

"To finish my first GP2 weekend with a win is fabulous," Fabio Leimer said, "The car was perfect and it proves the team is doing an excellent job. Our aim is to stay among the best. It is a very special feeling for me and for all the members of the team because the GP2 Main Series is a very competitive championship and the best way to enter F1. I could not be happier."

Meanwhile, teammate Max Chilton endured a complicated weekend but the English racer adapted (well to the car and the team, his race pace getting stronger and stronger. Max Chilton finished the second race in 16th place but the fights he was involved in on Sunday showed that he has unquestionable potential.

"I had a good start and the race was more or less like Saturday’s. But I had some good fights and I think that some drivers found their match. I am really satisfied with my performance but it’s clear it is impossible to secure a good result without a good position on the starting grid and that’s what conditioned the whole weekend for me. The car keeps improving and Fabio did a great job with it. Congratulations to the team," Max Chilton said.

For the directors of the Ocean Racing Technology team, Tiago Monteiro and Jose Guedes, this victory confirms that all their hard work is starting to bear fruits.

"We could not possibly have a better start in the championship," assured Tiago Monteiro, "Fabio put on a performance worthy of a champion. He had to deal with tyre wear at the end and he proved to be very mature in spite of the experienced drivers who were chasing him. Max had an important race for his progression but we knew it was always going to be a difficult one because he was at the back of the grid. Tonight, Ocean Racing Technology is one of the most competitive teams and will keep fighting to secure good results."

The GP2 Main Series will continue their 2010 championship in Monte Carlo next weekend, supporting the Formula One Grand Prix. The first race will take place on May 14, the second on the 15th.