Race Reports

Magny-Cours 29/06/2007

Magny Cours Qualifying

Following a ‘mid-season’ test at the Paul Ricard circuit, and a four-week break from racing, GP2 returned to the French region of Nevers, to what looks like the last ever Magny Cours Grand Prix.

In overcast conditions the teams’ British driver Mike Conway, ran comfortably amongst the top ten quickest for the majority of the session, adapting to the previously unknown track quickly. With the first 15 cars covered by less than one second, qualifying was incredibly tight, with Mike finally finishing 11th.

Qualifying today maybe one Luca Filippi wishes to put behind him, regrettably knocking into another car on his out lap and spending half the session in the pit lane for repairs. Despite all efforts to advance the Italian driver had to settle for 16th position for tomorrows starting position.

ISport International had a very successful session, their two drivers first and second, followed closely by Bruno Senna in third for Arden International.

Team Principal David Sears said of today’s session “Unluckily for the team Luca Filippi made contact with another car on his out lap and lost half the session repairing the car. He got going again but on his 2nd set of tyres, yellow flags disrupted his run, finishing in16th position.

Mike Conway drove extremely well on his first trip to Magny Cours, although Mike ended up in 11th place another 0.3 seconds, would have put him in the top six. So the team are hopeful he can score some points tomorrow.”

Luca Filippi commented “We lost half a session repairing the damage, after a misunderstanding with Vitaly Petrov, where we made contact. We have not shown our true potential today because yellow flags interrupted my laps. I was quickest in the 1st & 2nd sectors, but I feel we are able to set a quicker lap. Tomorrow’s strategy will be very important to gain positions and take some points”

Mike Conway said,  “The first two corners are really quick, and so is the chicane. The old part of the circuit seems to have less grip, so the cars move around more, but I like this circuit. The qualifying was really close, I think we lost a bit coming out the chicane, but I know what line to take now for tomorrow. I feel good about starting 11th as long as we can move forward, & get into the points. Ultimately the higher up the better, & then just see for Sunday.”