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| March 03, 2010 |
| GP2 Asia: Rossi Endures Bahrain Debut |
 | Alexander Rossi suffered his first double DNF in the GP2 Asia Series doubleheader in Bahrain
(Photo: Team Rossi - Dawn Rossi) |
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN (March 2, 2010) – With preparations already underway for the Formula One season-opener, the GP2 Asia Series held races five and six this past weekend (February 27-28) at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Entering the weekend third in championship points, Malaysia Qi MeritusMahara driver Alexander Rossi had high hopes for his debut on the 6.3-km circuit, as he was anxious to put to use the time spent preparing in a U.K. simulator the week previous and looking to gain valuable points and data leading up to the series season-finale serving as support to Formula One.
In many respects for Rossi, this weekend was one 'to remember and forget', as an abnormal course of events kept the 18 year-old from California from scoring points or finishing either round. For a championship winning driver, like Rossi these memorable events and experiences are motivating tools that happen to even the best drivers, and serve as situations in which to learn from.
"In practice we struggled with brake temperature, but the team sorted that with no problem for qualifying," Rossi commented. "Bahrain is very hard on tires and the complex Bridgestone’s have a small window. I was unable to maximize my second set of tires in qualifying and my posted time from the first set was not enough, as the track improved as the qualifying session went on."
Starting 15th for the 34-lap feature race, Rossi had a strong pace from the onset, moving his way up the racing order into second place by lap 10 before pitting for rear tires. Rossi re-entered the circuit in ninth. Shortly into the second stint the front tires began degrading quickly. Having difficulty with steering input, contact with an exit kerb resulted in damage to the floor, reducing downforce and creating extreme understeer. Rossi took a defensive approach to hold position, but by lap 25 his pace had declined by almost three seconds, dropping him back to 17th position. The team called him to the pits for tires, one lap later, on lap 26, the team retired the car due to safety reasons.
The following day, Rossi started 24th for the sprint race and immediately had pace to race up front, having climbed to 12th position by the end of lap two. On the next lap, while overtaking Fabio Leimer to the outside of turn one, Rossi clipped his front wing on Leimer’s rear tire in the braking zone. With lack of front wing and downforce, deceleration became difficult and Rossi slid into William Bratt, ending the race for them both.
After the race, Rossi was called to the steward’s office to review an on track manuveur with Leimer. Indicating that Rossi had not allowed enough room to race and forced Leimer four wheels over the white line, Stewards imposed a 10 grid spot penalty to Rossi for race seven in Bahrain. Leimer continued without any further impediment.
"The sprint race was really unfortunate, because we had the pace to be up front," Rossi added. "I've never had two DNF's in a weekend, and an added penalty was so disappointing, this sport can be brutal. Fortunately, I've learned how to cope with setbacks and will serve me well going forward. I need to thank the whole Meritus team who worked really hard for me all weekend, giving 150%. I really enjoy working with all of them. Even though I will serve a 10 grid spot penalty in race seven in Bahrain, I know what's needed from the car and what has to happen in qualifying."
Without scoring a point in last event, Rossi has moved to seventh overall in the championship, but is expected to improve on this at the next round. The next event for 2009-2010 GP2 Asia championship takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 12 -14, alongside Formula One.
For more information about championship winning team, MalaysiaQi MeritusMahara log onto: http://www.meritusracing.com
The GP2 Series commenced in 2005 and has become the strongest feeder series to Formula One. GP2 is a global platform for drivers aspiring to Formula One, with Asia Championship as a prelude to European Main Series, beginning in May alongside the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. For more information about GP2 Series log onto http://www.gp2series.com
More information can be found regarding Alexander Rossi at http://www.alexanderrossi.com or by contacting Team Rossi Motorsports, LLC at pete@teamrossimotorsports.com
Rossi's 2009 partners include CS&A, Alaska Coffee Roasting, North Miami Travel, Intervision, Norlie International, Meyers Investment Group, Racing Legends Motorsports, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Sierra Timberline, Century Equipment Company, Alan K. Wong M.D., Performance Drink, Emagine Design, Sparco USA, McSweeney and Associates, Big O Tire of Grass Valley, John Deere Credit, Real Life Fitness, Grass Valley Sign and G. Russell Enterprises.
From only 102 formula car starts to-date, the 18 year-old Rossi has netted 34 wins, 51 podiums, 32 poles and current win percentage of 33.33%. He is 2009 International Formula Master Rookie Champion, finishing fourth overall and three wins. Rossi is the 2008 Formula BMW World Final Winner and 2008 Formula BMW Americas Champion, with 11 wins 10 poles and 11 fastest laps. Rossi holds Formula BMW America series record with 14 wins to his credit and 11 pole positions. In the 2007 Formula BMW USA Championship Rossi finished third overall with three wins and five podium finishes. |
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