GP2 Asia Series: Valsecchi caps superb run in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: iSport International maintained their winning touch, this time through Italian Davide Valsecchi, with yet another comprehensive victory in the second race of the GP2 Asia Series held at the Yas Marina Circuit on Saturday.

Valsecchi, who had come in second behind teammate Oliver Turvey in Friday's round, ran a calculated race to keep the DPR duo of Michael Herck and Giacomo Ricci in second and third places respectively.

Valsecchi had also won the opening race held at the start of the season when it was held as part of the F1 round in November last year. "Winning was not so easy but I always had the confidence and belief that I could do it," Valsecchi stated.

"We've got a great team and a great car and I go to Bahrain with a lot of this confidence with the hope that I will target more podium finishes there too."

Valsecchi's teammate Turvey, who had won his maiden GP2 race on Friday, came in fifth while Mexican Sergio Perez from the Barwa Addax Team was placed fourth.

Malaysia Qi-Meritus.Mahara rookie, who was placed in fourth and then fifth through a major part of the race ended up outside the points with a ninth place.

"We have a good competitive car and I hope to carry forward this form for the remainder of the season," hoped Herck.

But on Saturday it was all about the success of the iSport International car with Valsecchi behind the wheel. Starting seventh on the grid, the Italian climbed his way up in the 21-lap race bidding his time till he had just Herck to contend with five laps remaining.

Valsecchi made his move on the penultimate lap cutting Herck from the inside and then finishing the race nearly two seconds ahead.

Al Gammal wins

Earlier, former champion Tareq Al Gammal made a return to winning ways while taking the second race of the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship.

Al Gammal, winner of the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship in its inaugural year in 2007, at last got everything going his way as he led from the start to finish ahead of Shaikh Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia's Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh to notch his first win in nearly two years.

"It's really been a long, long time since I last won a race. You will not believe the huge relief that I experience at this moment," the Dubai-based Australian driver said after taking the podium.

Al Gammal was followed by Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain while Saudi Arabia's Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh came in third.

Results of the second race of GP2 Asia Series held at the Yas Marina Circuit on Saturday: 1. Davide Valsecchi (iSport International/Italy); 2. Michael Herck (DPR/Romania); 3. Giacomo Ricci (DPR/Italy); 4. Sergio Perez (Barwa Addax Team/Mexico); 5. Oliver Turvey (iSport International/Great Britain); 6. Max Chilton (Ocean Racing Technology/Great Britain); 7. Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix/France); 8. Charles Pic (Arden International/France); 9. Alexander Rossi (Malaysia Qi-Meritus.com/USA).