Racing Engineering’s Fabio Leimer finished at the top of the timing screen following a very wet GP2 practice session at Spa-Francorchamps this afternoon.
The Swiss racer ended the session well ahead of Nigel Melker (Ocean Racing Technology) and Johnny Cecotto Jr (Barwa Addax) thanks to best effort of 2:22.580 near practice end.
Championship challengers Luiz Razia and Davide Valsecchi ended the practice , 4th and 5th after heading the timesheets early on, while Marcus Ericsson closed out the top six for iSport.
James Calado led the Lotus charge in 7th, with Esteban Gutierrez three spots behind. They were split by Victor Guerin (OCR, 8th) and Stefano Coletti (Coloni, 9th).
The positions would remain as such in the final minutes, when Cecotto Jr planted his GP2/11 car hard into the barrier at Pouhon, bringing out the session’s sole red flag.
Flat on the power during a fast lap, the Venezuelan climbed Pouhon’s gripless kerbs, only to be thrown clear of the track.
Cecotto was one of many to spin in the treacherous conditions, but only one of the few to inflict damage or embarrassment.
A number of drivers enjoyed harmless spins at various parts of the circuit, especially Les Combes, where Daniel de Jong tapped the barrier, ending his session early.
Indeed, such was the depth of water at some points of the circuit, it was clear to see drivers struggling behind the wheel of their GP2 machines. Hopefully the weather may be somewhat kinder come tomorrow’s running.
* {note 1}
Rene Binder joins Venezuela GP Lazarus this weekend in place of perennial lappee Giancarlo Serenelli. It may represent a huge step up for the Austrian, who currently competes in the German Formula 3 Cup.
2012 GP2 Round of Spa-Francorchamps (Rd 10, Free Practice) Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering 2m22.580s 2. Nigel Melker Ocean 2m23.540s + 0.960s 3. Johnny Cecotto Jr Addax 2m23.911s + 1.331s 4. Luiz Razia Arden 2m24.292s + 1.712s 5. Davide Valsecchi DAMS 2m24.394s + 1.814s 6. Marcus Ericsson iSport 2m24.665s + 2.085s 7. James Calado Lotus 2m25.145s + 2.565s 8. Victor Guerin Ocean 2m25.330s + 2.750s 9. Stefano Coletti Coloni 2m25.431s + 2.851s 10. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus 2m25.540s + 2.960s 11. Felipe Nasr DAMS 2m25.957s + 3.377s 12. Julian Leal Trident 2m25.961s + 3.381s 13. Giedo van der Garde Caterham 2m25.969s + 3.389s 14. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham 2m26.226s + 3.646s 15. Jolyon Palmer iSport 2m26.687s + 4.107s 16. Rio Haryanto Carlin 2m26.841s + 4.261s 17. Stephane Richelmi Trident 2m27.804s + 5.224s 18. Fabio Onidi Coloni 2m27.945s + 5.365s 19. Simon Trummer Arden 2m28.078s + 5.498s 20. Josef Kral Addax 2m28.639s + 6.059s 21. Max Chilton Carlin 2m28.751s + 6.171s 22. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax 2m30.324s + 7.744s 23. Sergio Canamasas Lazarus 2m30.461s + 7.881s 24. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering 2m31.938s + 9.358s 25. Daniel de Jong Rapax 2m33.864s + 11.284s 26. Rene Binder Lazarus 2m34.328s + 11.748s
