Di Grassi two points off GP2 lead
Lucas di Grassi is within two points of the GP2 series lead
after a weekend of mixed fortunes in Turkey for the Renault
Driver Development squad member.
Lucas scored the first win of his GP2 career on Saturday,
and held the championship lead overnight. He started the Sunday
race from eighth in the ART car, and was making good progress
into the points when he tangled with Giorgio Pantano.
He was given a drive through penalty, and that cost him any
chance of defending his lead, especially as victory went to
rival Timo Glock. Lucas eventually crossed the line in 11th
place. He now has 64 points to the 66 of Glock.
‘I started eighth, and when you start at the back you
have to take a few more risks. Pantano was very slow in the
beginning of the race. I tried to brake late to get very close
to him, he stopped very early and I made contact with the
back of his car.
‘It wasn't on purpose at all, I knew that if I did
that I was going to get a drive through. He spun, and I think
it's very clear that if you touch a guy from behind, you get
a penalty. So the race was finished for me. I was much faster
than him, and I should have overtaken him quite easily
‘But I'm very happy because the car was really fast,
I was fourth at one point of the race. It's only two points,
and you can get 20 points in one weekend. I'm very confident
for the rest of the year. If the car continues to be as good
as it was this weekend, for sure I'm going to be competitive
and fight for the title.'
Despite the disappointment on Sunday, Lucas was encouraged
by the victory he scored the previous day.
‘I won a feature race on a Saturday, I made no mistakes,
and the pace was really good. Since the beginning of the campaign,
my sole goal has been the title. I scored valuable points
at almost every race which easily explains my position in
the classification. Now, I showed everybody that I can win
too.
‘For the team's confidence, it's extremely important,
because they didn't win since July last year with Lewis Hamilton
in Silverstone. So it was a long time, more than one year.
It's also very good for my confidence, because I didn't win
any time this season. Everything came at the right time.'
The next race is at Monza in a fortnight's time: ‘I
was quite fast in Monza last year, and if the pace is the
same as this race, we will be competitive.'
|
