Today’s GP2 Series race at Magny Cours has been won by Giorgio Pantano to give Campos Grand Prix their first victory in the series.
Lucas di Grassi took second position for ART Grand Prix, with Bruno Senna third for Arden International. At the start, front row sitters and iSport International team-mates Timo Glock and Andreas Zuber made contact, with the latter being spun around on top of the former’s car. The race was stopped following another first lap incident which saw Ernesto Viso, who was making his return to the series for Racing Engineering, involved in a large accident after he hit the rear of Michael Ammermüller’s ART Grand Prix car. In both cases, the drivers involved escaped without major injury, a timely reminder of the strength and safety of the GP2 Series car. The track staff on the scene of Ernesto’s accident also escaped unhurt, although one marshal was treated for shock.
While Timo and Michael were both declared fit to race immediately, Ernesto was taken in a conscious and stable state from the track Medical Centre to the Hôpital de Nevers for check-ups. The FIA Medical Delegate reported that other than concussion, the Venezuelan had thankfully sustained no injuries. After an hour delay, the race was back underway at one minute past five.
With the majority of the drivers having made their pitstops under the safety car on lap two of the initial running of the race, the order soon shook out and saw Giorgio Pantano lead Lucas di Grassi, Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna.
Luca Filippi was soon fifth after muscling his way past team-mate Mike Conway, and soon after dispatched Bruno when he made a mistake at the 180 corner. When Pastor started to slow, Luca was up to third but with Bruno right on his tail. As Giorgio continued to lead easily from di Grassi, Bruno was all over the back of Luca, and on the very last lap made his move at Adelaide. Luca covered his line, but with his car twitchy and nervous, he just couldn’t get the power down in time to hold position. Vitaly Petrov finished a fine fifth, ahead of Adrian Zaugg, Javier Villa and Nicolas Lapierre.
Roldan Rodriguez took fastest lap.
1st Giorgio Pantano. 1:52:32.513 I believe we can fight for the championship, and the team championship also. But we were just unlucky. Campos is a really serious man, and I really like to work with him, he's nice, a gentleman, and this is what made me sign for them.
2nd Lucas di Grassi: ART Grand Prix. +8.777 We improved the car a lot from the last race in Barcelona - the car was really good, really consistent, we had a really good pace compared to everyone else, and for sure it was something that missing from those races.
3rd Bruno Senna: Arden International +22.476 It was quite hard! On Filippi it was a really good move, really good fun - I could go toe to toe with him and make him miss the braking point. From fifth to third was not bad
