Piquet GP set the pace in Free Practice

The final round of the 08-09 GP2 Asia Series season opened this morning at the Bahrain International Circuit where a new champion will be crowned. With 36°C in the air and a track temperature of 47°C, the conditions were tough on the drivers.

In a trouble-free practice, both Piquet GP cars set the exact fastest lap time, although Rodriguez was stationed in the pitlane for almost half of the session while his team were trying to fix an ignition problem on his engine. Once repaired, the Spaniard went back on track and in a matter of two laps rejoined his Brazilian teammate at the top of the timing sheet.

Behind the solid duo, but five tenth away, Luiz Razia emerged in third place at the wheel of his Arden car, ahead of Qi-Meritus’ Alvaro Parente. Title contender Davide Valsecchi signed the fifth best lap time and barely edged Championship leader and rival Kamui Kobayashi at Dams.

Edoardo Mortara on the second Arden car, Dams’ Jérôme d’Ambrosio, James Jakes at Super Nova and Marco Bonanomi on the second Qi-Meritus car round up the Top 10. Title contender Vitaly Petrov could only complete two laps before stopping following an electrical problem on his Barwa machine.

Towards the end of the session, with less than a minute on the clock, Diego Nunes was sent back out on track, failing to see the red light indicating that the pitlane was closed.

The qualifying session will start at 16.00pm today, local time.

Bahrain – Free Practice