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Nelson Nails Perfect Weekend |
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Sunday, 06 August 2006 |
Nelson Piquet Jr has made GP2 series history by taking the first ever perfect weekend. The Brazilian won today’s race in torrential conditions, setting fastest lap along the way to bring home a perfect score of 20 points after taking pole position and the race one win and fastest lap over the two preceding days. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton finished second with his team-mate Alex Prémat third for ART Grand Prix.
Race Report: As the Hungaroring was drenched in torrential rain,
the 28 lap race was started behind the safety car. After three laps the
field of 26 cars was unleashed and José Mariá López led away from pole,
under immediate pressure from second placed Adam Carroll. As the
drivers struggled to find adhesion on the slippery track, José spun out
of the lead on the exit of Turn 2, and Adam was left in charge at the
front.
Xandi Negrão now sat second, with Alex third, Nelson a great fourth
from eighth on the grid and Lewis an incredible fifth from tenth. At
the start of lap four however, Xandi lost it under braking for Turn 1
and clattered into the barriers. Adam continued to pull out a strong
lead from Alex, but the Frenchman was under big pressure from the
rampant Nelson. It was on the sixth lap that the Brazilian made his
move, passing Alex for second in clinical fashion. Second became first
on the very next lap as Adam spun into the barriers and took out his
front wing.
On the next lap Lucas di Grassi passed Ferdinando Monfardini for fifth
but the Brazilian was out on the next lap, spinning off at Turn 3.
Lewis meanwhile was all over Alex’s rear wing and as the Frenchman
struggled for grip, Lewis nipped up the inside and took second. Timo
Glock was making steady progress along with his team-mate Ernesto Viso
and the pair scythed through the field, eventually taking fourth and
fifth positions, relegating Ferdinando to sixth.
Nelson meanwhile was miles ahead, setting fastest lap after fastest lap
to draw out a huge gap on Lewis, eventually taking the chequered flag
and his place in GP2 series history by almost 13 seconds after a
shortened 23-lap race when the allotted 45 minute time slot ran out.
Alex was third with Ernesto and Timo on his rear wing, as Ferdinando
took the final point in sixth place.
What about the championship? Lewis’ points today put him on 87,
but Nelson’s perfect weekend means he has cut the gap to 11 points.
Alex is now third on 56, with Timo fourth on 50, Ernesto fifth on 42
and Gimmi Bruni sixth with 33. In the teams’ championship ART Grand
Prix leads on 143, 50 ahead of iSport International in second. Piquet
Sports lies third with 88 and Arden fourth on 50 points.
1st Nelson Piquet Jr – Piquet Sports. 45:59.804
It feels excellent. I'm very relieved, and I think the relief you have
when you've done what you've always dreamed of doing feels wonderful.
It was the way it should be every weekend: very good.
2nd Lewis Hamilton – ART Grand Prix. +12.921
To come from tenth to second was a good achievement for us, and Alex
was third so good team points. I think it's positive to come away with
this and I'm looking forward to the next race.
3rd Alex Prémat – ART Grand Prix. +26.202
It was a really hard drive and the visibility was not good. The
traction was OK, but it was hard to drive today. I think Lewis had a
better set-up, but I had a good fight with Viso and Glock so to have a
podium is nice.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 January 2007 )
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