Asia: Series Abu Dhabi test notes 2009-10-24

Luca Filippi tops Abu Dhabi tests

Meritus racer quickest again in GP2 Asia Series pre-season tests

The Yas Marina Circuit hosted the last GP2 Asia pre-season test session today. A few days before the opening of the third GP2 Asia Series season, Luca Filippi and Malaysian team Meritus put pressure on their rivals. Already quickest man on track yesterday, the Italian set the pace again today in an impressive 1:51.415, two hundredth away from Roldan Rodriguez (Coloni).

The level of grip improved drastically from day 1 and laptimes dropped this morning compared to yesterday's afternoon session although the temperature was higher. Davide Valsecchi at iSport chose to do a race simulation in order to test the car at the same time as next week's race will happen. And the Italian showed great pace, setting the quickest laptime in a 1:52.355, eight tenths clear from rookie Sam Bird (ART). Luiz Razia at Barwa Addax completed the top three ahead of another impressive rookie, Joseph Kral at Super Nova. Filipi's teammate Diego Nunes posted the fifth fastest latime in front of Trident's Johnny Cecotto while three other rookies - Max Chilton (Barwa Addax), Pablo Sanchez (Arden) and Fabio Leimer (Ocean Racing) finished in the top ten with Michael Herck (DPR) finishing in ninth place.

In the afternoon, the session started again at 4pm local time and ended under the spotlights of the track. In the closing stages of the session and as the drivers all pushed for best time, Filippi clocked his fastest laptime of the day, improving his personal best by one second and four tenths quicker than yesterday evening. Already second quickest in Day 1, Rodriguez was edged out of the top of the timing sheet by Filippi just seconds away from the chequered flag while Davide Valsecchi, who finished his programme earlier than most and stayed at the top for most of the session, rounded up the Top 3.

In fourth, Swiss Fabio Leimer at Ocean Racing Technology left a good impression and earned the title of best rookie of the day while Nunes also announced Meritus' ambitions for this new season with a fifth quickest laptime. Rodolfo Gonzalez at Arden followed ahead of rookie Christian Vietoris (DAMS), Kral, Marcus Ericsson (ART) and Herck completed the top 10.

This concludes the two-day pre-season test session. The third season of the GP2 Asia Series will kick off next week at the Yas Marina Circuit on Friday, October 30th with Free Practice at 10:30am local time.

-credit: gp2