Sauber’s Formula 1 reserve, Esteban Gutierrez, headed the final GP2 pre-season test in Barcelona before packing up for the season start.
On a bright and sunny Thursday, Gutierrez – who was also fastest the previous day – set a fastest lap of 1:29.154 in the morning.
The Mexican eventually logged a total of 77 laps around the 2.9 mile-long Circuit de Catalunya.
It marks yet another positive signal for Gutierrez, as he readies himself for what may be a key season in his young career*.
GP2 veteran Davide Valsecchi was next up in his DAMS machine after completing 63 tours of the circuit, while Rapax racer Tom Dillmann ended the day an encouraging 3rd (58 laps). Max Chilton headed the Carlin charge in 4th, although the Briton fell one-thousandth short of Dillmann on his quickest run.
Caterham Racing’s Giedo van der Garde enjoyed a small advantage over James Calado (Lotus, 6th, 71 laps)*** and Tuesday’s fast man, Fabrizio Crestani (Venezuela GP Lazarus, 7th, 40 laps).
Crestani was the first driver to break into the ‘1:29’s’, before being overhauled as the day progressed. The Italian’s time at the top was artificially extended, when Scuderia Coloni’s Fabio Onidi spun off, bringing out an early red flag. There were further stoppages later, when the cars of Simon Trummer (Arden) and Johnny Cecotto Jr (Barwa Addax) both needed to be retrieved.
Nigel Melker (Ocean Racing Technology, 64 laps), Onidi (48 laps) and Stephane Richelmi (Trident, 59 laps) rounded out the top ten.
Dillmann would later top the slower afternoon session, as he – and most others – completed last chance race simulations and pitstop practices. Stefano Coletti, Crestani and Felipe Nasr ended the afternoon just shy of Dillmann.
Trummer caused another red flag soon after a lunch with a spin that damaged his car, ensuring the Swiss pilot managed only a single tour in the afternoon. Julian Leal and Nasr brought out two more red flag periods, when they stopped on track.
The teams will soon be on their way to Sepang for the opening round of the season, which takes place over March 24th-25th.
* {note 1}
Gutierrez debuted in GP2 at the beginning of the now defunct Asia Series** last February at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. During a season mired by disappointments, he achieved one race victory (Sprint Race, Valencia) on his way to 13th in the Championship.** {note 1b}
This is the same GP2 Asia Series that had not visited the Asian continent since its April 2009 visit to Sepang – which is also the venue for the Main Series’ opening round this year.
*** {note 2}
For some reason, the GP2 timing system has either given an incorrect time for James Calado (more than possible) or they placed him in the wrong position (now that’s just plain silly).
Combined times: Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus GP 1:29.154 77 2. Davide Valsecchi DAMS 1:29.318 63 3. Tom Dillmann Rapax 1:29.455 58 4. Max Chilton Carlin 1:29.456 77 5. Giedo van der Garde Caterham Racing 1:29.490 66 6. James Calado Lotus GP 1:29.599 71 7. Fabrizio Crestani Venezuela GP Lazarus 1:29.581 40 8. Nigel Melker Ocean Racing Technology 1:29.632 64 9. Fabio Onidi Scuderia Coloni 1:29.679 48 10. Stéphane Richelmi Trident Racing 1:29.694 59 11. Luiz Razia Arden International 1:29.748 82 12. Jolyon Palmer iSport International 1:29.849 58 13. Stefano Coletti Scuderia Coloni 1:29.918 53 14. Marcus Ericsson iSport International 1:29.977 51 15. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering 1:30.047 52 16. Nathanaël Berthon Racing Engineering 1:30.055 59 17. Julian Leal Trident Racing 1:30.075 79 18. Rio Haryanto Carlin 1:30.211 50 19. Josef Kral Barwa Addax Team 1:30.250 70 20. Johnny Cecotto Barwa Addax Team 1:30.287 80 21. Simon Trummer Arden International 1:30.477 24 22. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham Racing 1:30.680 70 23. Jon Lancaster Ocean Racing Technology 1:30.724 55 24. Felipe Nasr DAMS 1:30.740 61 25. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax 1:31.406 59 26. Giancarlo Serenelli Venezuela GP Lazarus 1:32.872 57 ^ Noted compiled from live updates and releases.
