Portuguese GP2 Series outfit Ocean Racing Technology will end their 2009/2010 GP2 Asia campaign alongside the opening round of the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.
The team, which will run cars for Swiss driver Fabio Leimer and returning Dutch driver Yelmer Buurman will be looking to end the 8 race Asia series on a high note, and to carry on the good work which has seen the team currently occupy fifth overall in the team's championship. Buurman and Leimer will need to show that the new technical direction the team took at the same venue two weeks ago was fruitful.
This final race weekend will help in the team's preparations for the main GP2 season, which starts alongside the FIA Formula One World Championship race at Barcelona in May.
Dutchman Buurman returned to the series for the last round at Bahrain, and is looking to finish off the GP2 Asia season on a positive note. Buurman said: “I am looking forward to returning to Bahrain. The circuit will use a new version with an extra section which is said to be slower. The presence of Formula One will help rubber the line and the data we got two weeks ago will be decisive in securing a good result. The most important thing is to keep un the good work in order to improve the car’s performance.”
For Leimer, the finale is all about gaining more experience, as he explains:
“The GP2 Asia Series is crucial for gathering experience in the car, both data and the team’s work. These last two races will be a keystone and the end of a very important cycle for me, To race in the GP2 Series is a landmark for any driver and I want to show that both I and Ocean are up to the challenge. I think that after the Bahrain round we will be on the right path to have a good season in the GP2 Main Series.”
Each of the 13 teams who will be out at the Sakhir circuit will have to contend with some extreme weather conditions, as temperatures are expected to reach 32 degrees, which will reinforce the challenges which will meet the teams, the cars and the drivers.
Both races will be shown live on Eurosport 2, the first race at 4.30pm on Saturday 13th March while the final race of the series will be live at 8.45am on the 14th March.
