Valsecchi snatches victory

However, Davide Valsecchi, dominator of the free practice and qualifying sessions in Abu Dhabi, did not get the best start during this first GP2 Asia Series 2009/10 race on the Yas Marina circuit. Sam Bird (ART Grand Prix) took the lead at the first corner, before having to give in under pressure from the Italian. Fighting for third place, Luca Filippi (Meritus) and James Jakes (Super Nova Racing) came back on the Briton and overtook him.

Of the three leading men, Luca Filippi is the last to refuel. He therefore took the lead at the expense of Davide Valsecchi, lining up the fast laps when the latter returned to the pits. After the stops phase, the safety car appeared, following the collision between Luis Razia (Barwa Addax) and Christian Vietoris (DAMS).

At the restart, Filippi retained the race lead ahead of Davide Valsecchi and James Jakes. But, as the laps go by, the iSport driver gets back on the leader. On the 19th lap, the duel between the two Italians put on a truly beautiful spectacle, with the two cars side by side in three consecutive corners. Filippi lets go, Valsecchi takes the advantage and escapes. The pilot of the Renault Driver Development wins after 33 laps, ahead of Luca Filippi, James Jakes, Alex Red, Josef Kral, Christian Vietoris, Johnny Cecotto and Oliver Turvey. Second race Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (French time).