Petrov holds Hulkenberg and triumphs

After a difficult grid entry where Michael Herck (DPR), in particular, experienced a problem, the 26 drivers finally set off for race 1 of the GP2 Series in Valencia. On pole, Nico Hulkenberg (ART Grand Prix) goes a little wide at turn 2 which allows Vitaly Petrov (Barwa Addax) and Sergio Perez (Arden International) to pass it. Hulkenberg quickly manages to pass Perez again. For his part, Franck Perera (DPR) inherited a drive through after anticipating the start.

Nico Hulkenberg is unleashed and sets the best time in the first laps which allows him to come back to 0.9 seconds of Petrov, still leader. With 25 laps to go, Vitaly Petrov maintains his lead ahead of Hulkenberg and Perez. Luca Di Grassi (Racing Engineering and Alvaro Parente (Ocean Racing Technology) complete the top 5. Giedo Van der Garde (iSport International) and Stefano Coletti (Durango) are also given a drive through for having anticipated the start in their turn. Hulkenberg is still the fastest man on the track.

At the time of the first mandatory refueling stop, Hulkenberg was the first to stop in the pits. Petrov delays his stop as much as possible and manages to maintain the lead. Behind, Perez maintains his position on Di Grassi. The laps pass and Hulkenberg presses more and more behind the Russian who doesn't give up. Further on, the positions hardly change with Perez, Di Grassi, Parente, Rodriguez (Piquet Sports) and Mortara (Arden International) in that order.

Four laps from the finish, Parente however managed to overtake di Grassi to gain fourth place. The latter obviously has a problem and he retires two laps from the checkered flag. Despite a last attempt from Hulkenberg, Vitaly Petrov finally won in the stifling heat of Valencia.