Super Nova head to Barcelona and the Circuit de Catalunya for the second round of the GP2 Series season this weekend confident of a strong result at the Spanish venue.
A strong showing at pre-season testing at the circuit combined with good pace at the season opener at Istanbul mean the team is expecting to be competitive over the course of the weekend.
Luca Filippi qualified third on the grid for the first of the two races in Turkey, but his hopes of a podium finish were dashed when he was taken out by Johnny Cecotto Jr, the man he replaced at Super Nova after the winter Asia Series. He hopes to carry his form to Spain.
“After the test we had in Montmelo where we have shown a good performance and after the Turkish weekend where only a huge bad luck took us away a podium in Race 1, I’m looking forward to next weekend with the confidence to fight for the win,” said the Italian.
“We lost many points in Istanbul and it wasn’t our fault, now we can close the gap and pray for a little better luck.”
Fairuz Fauzy scored a strong fifth place finish in the sprint race in Istanbul, and the Malaysian is hoping for more of the same in Spain at one of his favourite circuits.
“We feel after our second race in Turkey, we now have a competitive package and hope we can convert this into higher points finishes in both races in Barcelona, which is one of my favourite circuits.”
Team principal David Sears echoes his drivers' feelings ahead of the weekend.
“Judging by our testing form in Barcelona a few weeks ago, I believe that our drivers should both be competitive at this weekend’s race,” said Sears.
Luca was in the top three fastest drivers in the last race in Turkey until he was taken out by some idiotic driving from Cecotto but at least he was able to show winning potential.
Fairuz is now up to speed having got his first points in Istanbul. He will come to Spain on a high, having been extremely fast in testing for Lotus Renault in Valencia last week.”