Both Super Nova drivers told stories of promising pace in the GP2 Asia opener at Abu Dhabi. However, both also had troubled races in incidents in the midfield pack.
Both Johnny Cecotto and Fairuz Fauzy survived the opening lap chaos – including a massive start line accident after Dani Clos stalled on the grid – and were running in the teens before they made their compulsory stops.
“We had a good race pace today but we didn't have quite enough in reserve to overtake – especially on this circuit,” said Fauzy. “I'm a bit disappointed with the result as we had some contact from another car which resulted in a problem with the gearbox and my retirement.”
It was a failed overtaking attempt that put Fauzy out of the race, probing down the inside of Julian Leal that put both of them out of the race.
Cecotto had faired the better of the team's drivers – running in 14th before his stop. Fighting back up the field in the second half of the race he passed the first of the two Coloni cars – James Jakes – and briefly passed Michael Herck in the other. However, the following corner Herck spun Cecotto who would finish the race 15th.
“Again, another really unlucky session for us where everything went wrong that could have done,” said the Venezuelan. “I had a really good start but then, several times, there were cars overtaking by cutting the track. Once I made my stop I caught slower cars in front and at a certain point I was spun from behind. Our pace seemed good but we didn't get the chance to convert this into a good result.”
