GP2: Hulkenberg hits hard

In stifling heat with a track at 50°C, Nico Hulkenberg (ART Grand Prix) is the first to shine during the GP2 Series qualifying session on Friday afternoon. Already the best time in the morning free practice session, the German set a fantastic time of 1:45.357, three tenths faster than the time of the 2008 pole-sitter, Giorgio Pantano. After a first pass, almost all the drivers then return to the pits. Behind Hulkenberg, Vitaly Petrov (Barwa Addax) and Roldan Rodriguez (Piquet Sports) complete the provisional top 3.

As the drivers returned to the track, Luca Filippi (Super Nova) hit the wall and damaged his car. The red flag is then waved to collect the numerous debris at turn 20 as well as to clean up the oil which has spilled on the track. After a long interruption, the competitors leave for the last 12 minutes.

Luca Di Grassi (Racing Engineering) attacks hard to try to take pole but only manages to come within six tenths of Hulkenberg?s best time who improves further (1:45.025). The German produced a real festival by relegating his runner-up, Vitaly Petrov, by more than four tenths! The positions moved further until the checkered flag and Hulkenberg took a new pole position ahead of Petrov and Di Grassi. Sergio Perez (Telmex Arden International) and Roldan Rodriguez complete the top 5.