Monte Carlo Race 1
Trident Racing cruised to a very valuable second place finish at the end of Race 1 of the GP2 Series at Monte Carlo. Kevin Ceccon was one of the main characters of the series supported by a wise race strategy that enabled him to control his rivals in the closing laps.
His race was not shy of surprises. At the start, the young guy from Bergamo touched Sam Bird at St.Devote, damaging the front wing. Kevin continued in his run as course control stopped the race with a red flag due to another contact that stopped 15 cars at the same corner. Unfortunately, Nathanael Berthon was one of the drivers involved and saw his race end early after just a few meters.
After more than one hour, the race re-started with Ceccon clinching thirs place behind Evans and Bird, before getting one more spot back at the pits. Once he was in second place, Kevin managed his closing stint without taking too many risks taking a deserved maiden GP2 Series podium finish.
The Monte Carlo weekend will be rounded out tomorrow by Race 2. Ceccon will be taking-off from the 7th place on the grid, while Berthon is set to start from row 13. The race will kick-off at 16:15 with live coverage on the Sky Sport networks.
Kevin Ceccon
What a day! Before the start, the team told me not to take too many risks at the first corner, but I slightly touched the Bird's car. I saw the front wing damaged and I thought it was over. It's been a frustrating moment but when I realized I was able to drive as usual without problems, I thought that a good result was still in our frame.
"The suspensions turned out to be ok and with a new front wing everything was back in place. Once we got back running I stayed close to Evans and Bird, and when we went for an early pit-stop I pushed hard to gain one spot. When I saw Evans come out of the pit-lane, I knew it would have been tight but I eventually managed to take 2nd place.
"I'm very happy. This result rewards me for all the unlucky moments and enables me to celebrate with a team that really care for me. Now I hope to round out this weekend with a points finish in tomorrow's Race 2".
Nathanael Berthon
My quote is as short as my race I started well, but at the first corner I found myself involved in a mayhem. I could have tried to pass on the right, but last year I got a drive-through. So I decided to stick to the left and ended up trapped between two cars".
Race 2
Trident Racing ended up the second race of the GP2 Series weekend at Monte Carlo with a positive points finish as Kevin Ceccon scored 7th place, capping his great weekend with another valuable result.
At his fourth straight points finish, Ceccon climbed up to 9th place in standings, confirming his race-by-race steady rate of growth. At the start, Ceccon was slowed down by one of the cars he had in front on the grid and exited turn one in 8th place. Then he moved on Sam Bird at the Port chicane and went on to end his race without making any mistake and with a good tire management.
Berthon faced a tougher day. The Frenchman was forced to take-off from the 24th place on the grid and finished in 21st, as a further confirmation of the lack of passing opportunities that are proper of the Monte Carlo venue.
After having rounded out their weekend in Monaco, the 2013 GP2 Series schedule will provide teams and drivers with a 4-week break. The 5th round of the season will go underway between June 28th and 30th at Silverstone.
Kevin Ceccon
"Unfortunately at the start Nasr, who was taking-off in front of me, had a slow getaway. I tried to pass on the right but there wasn't enough space so I found myself behind Bird, who had passed me on the left. I put up a good race pace since the very early stages and I progressively got closer to him. Then I attacked him at the Port chicane. It's been a clean move but a particularly tough one on this kind of track. During the second part of the race I tried to manage my tires well and I'm happy to have maintained a good performance level until the checkered flag fell. It's been a good conclusion to a positive weekend."
Nathanael Berthon
"Today's race hasn't been a particularly significant one for me. At the start I experienced some gearbox issues and in the first few laps I had troubles in managing the tires which were pretty cold. Then the situation improved considerably, but getting some positions back on this track is almost impossible".
