More valuable points for ART GP

ART Grand Prix secured more valuable world championship points at this weekend’s round of the GP2 championship at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany when rookie driver Jules Bianchi finished fifth in race one and fourth in race two.

Teammate Sam Bird wasn’t quite as fortunate in race one however and due to a drive through penalty finished down in fourteenth place, but a strong fight back in Sunday’s sprint race saw the young Englishman cross the line in fifth place, right behind Bianchi.

Jules Bianchi: “It was important to come back from Hockenheim with some good points and that’s what we achieved. Qualifying was not easy with several yellows and neutralisations so I could not find a clear track at the end when the circuit was faster. I had a good start and from then on it was hard to come close to another car and I made sure I secured a good position with the second race in mind. On Sunday, I had another good start and I thought the podium was a realistic target and I was always close to it but I did not have the opportunity to attack the cars that were in front of me, especially after I damaged a tyre attacking Zaugg. After that, the car was difficult to handle and then a shock broke. The overall result is satisfying and I’m looking forward to the Hungaroring where I hope we will be able to fight for pole position and get a good place on the starting grid because it is always the key to good races.”

Sam Bird: “Sometimes things are against you and there’s nothing you can do. The qualifying session did not go my way and I knew the first race was always going to be a tough one starting from 22nd on the grid. But I had some good fights and I fought my way back until this drive through penalty which I’m not really happy with. On the positive side, I showed that I was on par with the leaders pace-wise and I think we can be proud of what we achieved on Sunday, from P14 to P5. I can only hope that someday we will have a trouble-free race weekend and I’m confident this day we will be able to show what our full potential is.”

Frederic Vasseur: “Qualifying was sort of a lottery and we did not pick the right numbers. It’s part of the beauty of the race! In these conditions and starting that far down on the grid I was looking forward to see how our drivers would react and I have to say their behaviour, both on and off the track, was excellent. Jules and Sam did some brilliant overtaking manoeuvres, they gained a lot of positions which helped us to secure important points for the championships. Jules is still in a good position in the drivers’ championship and he has all the assets to keep on improving. Sam was unlucky because without his drive through penalty he would have been a serious contender for the win. The wheel will turn and I’m sure he will soon have the opportunity to make the most of his great potential.”