Bruno Senna’s GP2 Series campaign began on a bright note in Barcelona – even though a spin forced him to miss the closing stages of the campaign’s opening qualifying session. The 24-year-old Brazilian was consequently able to use only one of his two available sets of new tyres, but a 1m 28.273s lap was good enough to put his iSport Dallara fourth on the 26-car grid for tomorrow afternoon’s 39-lap race.

Bruno Senna“I’m pleased with my qualifying position, although things could have been even better but for a technical problem. The team changed my gearshift paddles after this morning’s free practice session, because the original ones were a bit too big, and the replacement was sticking a little. I had already completed one quick run on my first set of tyres and was just starting a second when the paddle jammed again. I was stuck in fourth gear and looking at the steering wheel, trying to sort things out, when I came into Turn Two. With all that going on I lost concentration for a second and spun off.

“I would obviously have improved my lap time if I’d been able to use my second set of tyres, but by how much? I don’t know. It will be a tough race tomorrow, because this circuit is incredibly hard on rear tyres, but at least I still have one fresh set available after today’s problems. I think we have a very well balanced car in race trim, too, so overall I’m pleased with the way things have gone.”