Di Grassi fourth in Hungary
Lucas di Grassi closed on the GP2 Championship lead by finishing
fourth in the Saturday event at the Hungaroring.
The Renault Driver Development squad member, who led the
early laps of the race, is now only four points shy of series
leader Timo Glock.
Lucas qualified the ART entry in third place, behind the
iSport cars of main title rival Glock and Andreas Zuber.
‘In free practice we had some problems with traffic
and the track was very dirty,' said Lucas. ‘So it was
not a very good session. But in qualifying I was quite happy
with how we improved the car, and I think it was competitive.
I think I did a good lap, I had a little bit of traffic, but
that's not an excuse.'
Lucas made a great start, passing Zuber off the line and
then outbraking Glock in a great move round the outside into
Turn One. He led the initial stages in fine style but a mistake
cost him the lead just before his pit stop.
After his stop a safety car period gave an advantage to some
of the drivers who had not yet come in, and that cost him
some ground. However, as the race progressed he moved up to
fourth. With Glock failing to make the top eight and getting
only two points for his pole Lucas in effect gained three
points on the German. He will start the Saturday race from
fifth on the grid.
‘It was a very good start, and I led the race. The
car in the beginning was not very good, and I was pushing
very hard. I made a mistake by myself in Turn 11 and lost
a couple of seconds. I decided to change tyres quite early.
After I went to the pits there was a safety car, and it was
a big mess! I think it was good to finish fourth with everything
that was going on. The championship is about scoring consistently,
and it's another top five result. I proved that I can have
a good start and overtake. Now, I have to win.'
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