GP2 news

Difficult weekend for Racing Engineering

The Spanish Racing Engineering team endured a difficult first weekend of the season, coming away with no points from Barcelona. A double retirement in the feature race on Saturday was followed up with only tenth and nineteenth for di Grassi and Clos during a meeting full of frustrations at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Having set competitive and leading times in winter testing, the team - based in San Lucar de Barrameda, approximately 35 kilometres from Jerez - was expecting a points finish at the very least in Spain, although the start to the season did not go as planned. With both cars running in the top ten for the opening feature race of the season; local hero Dani Clos suffered from engine safety system failure as team-mate Lucas di Grassi retired in a dramatic Repsol hairpin incident with Alvaro Parente's Ocean Racing.

Marks from Parente's tyre were left on di Grassi's car after their Saturday collision

With Racing Engineering starting from the back halves of rows nine and ten on Sunday, another difficult afternoon loomed for the duo. "The start and first lap went really well and I was able to gain eight positions," said Brazilian di Grassi, a pre-season title favourite. "During the following laps I put some pressure on Maldonado, but afterwards it was difficult to gain more places. We made progress compared to yesterday, but we need to continue our work to improve the car - then we will be at the top." He eventually crossed the line inside the ten top, just over a second ahead of rival Parente.

A problem as the lights went out compounded a frustrating weekend for Clos. "It's a real shame my car stalled at the start," Catalan Dani explained, having entertained his home crowd on both days. "We had very good pace and I also made the fastest lap time during the race. In general, I am happy with this weekend. We have to improve in certain aspects, mainly from my side. The team has done a perfect job for the entire weekend; we have a very good car and I hope we can put everything together for Monaco." The famous Monte-Carlo venue will be the scene of the next action in just under two weeks' time.

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