Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
Alexander Rossi will test a BMW-Sauber Formula One machine at Jerez from 01-03 December. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
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American Alexander Rossi made an impressive start to his GP2 career in Abu Dhabi.
On Saturday, 18-year-old Rossi finished 4th in the 33 lap, 180 kilometer GP2 Asia Series feature race at the Yas Marina circuit, and on Sunday’s 22 lap sprint race, he finished 5th.
”It was good to have strong race finishes after we struggled to find pace and grip in qualifying,” Rossi said. “We were very close to a podium in each of the races, which would have been perfect, but I’m satisfied as we overcame a lot. I felt great in my first 75-minute feature race, making no mistakes. Physically, I was prepared and could have raced another stint if needed.”
The twelve GP2 teams completed two days of testing at Yas Marina Circuit ahead of the race. During these tests, Rossi suffered traction problems exiting the slow corners. These issues continued into the race weekend, although they weren’t as pronounced once the Formula One cars put their own rubber on the tarmac, this adding a new challenge.
GP2 is the number one feeder series to Formula One. For Abu Dhabi, the top twenty qualifiers on the grid were separated by just 0.9 of a second, with Alexander lining up in 13th, eight tenths, off pole. Rossi was confident in making progress in the 33-lap race. 2
“I made a great start from the clean side of the grid,” said Rossi. “I was eighth by the end of lap one and was being held up by the two cars ahead of me, as a team we decided to pit early to gain track position. This was my first career scheduled pit stop during a race. It went perfect, no problems at all. From there, I was on a charge to overtake several cars to finish the race in 4th.”
With the reverse grid format of race two, Rossi started fifth. He was third by the first corner, which is where he stayed for the majority of the 22-lap event. However, his Dallara suffered from increasing amounts of understeer as the race continued and he was unable to stop the much quicker iSport cars of Valsecchi and Oliver Turvey passing him in the closing lap to finish 5th.
“There was nothing I could do about the ISport cars,” said Rossi. “I defended as best I could, but they had incredible pace all weekend and did an outstanding job. I couldn’t stop them, they just dragged past me on each of the two long straights.”
Rossi showings were received well in the Formula One paddock. Williams F1 boss Frank Williams, BMW’s motorsport director Mario Theissen and USF1 and SPEED analyst Peter Windsor all commented on his pace and mistake-free performances, while Ocean Racing Technology boss Tiago Monteiro was kept up to speed from afar.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t be in Abu Dhabi because I was racing in Japan,” says Tiago. “However, I’ve had the low-down from the engineers, who tell me that Alexander raced very well. I’m very excited about him and hope we can work together again in the future.”
Rossi has a GP2 test coming up later this month at Paul Ricard, prior to his BMW-Sauber F1 test at Jerez from 01-03 December.
“My career continues to offer me new opportunities as they are earned”, said Rossi. “I have worked very hard for the possibility of testing an F1 car and I am very appreciative. It is my intention to make the most of this opportunity and take nothing for granted.”
