The fourth season in the GP2 Asia Series history finally took off today at the Abu Dhabi racetrack. Reigning Champion Davide Valsecchi was off to an extremely positive start, running a Dallara for the newcoming Air Asia team, fielded by F1's Team Lotus owner Tony Fernandes. Despite being part of a brand-new squad, Davide ended up qualifying in third place and will be starting tomorrow's Race 1 on the second row, right behind polesitter Romain Grosjean.

"I'm really satisfied with the work we've done today - told Davide - the team did an incredible job, and kept working in the right direction. We're just at the start of a new project, and our early goal was to stay into the top-5, so we're plenty satisfied with third. Both me and the team will keep working just as hard, as we're aware that we still need something more to fight for the pole. Tomorrow's race will be full of unknowns, since everybody will be at their first race with the new Dallara and the Pirelli tires. Let's wait and see…".

The 2011 season will kick-off with Race 1 at 13:55 CET (16:55 local time, GMT+4), with live coverage in Italy by RaiSport 2.

First race and first podium for Davide. Making its debut in the GP2 Asia 2011 season on the single seater Dallara of the Air Asia Team Davide was awarded third place in Abu Dhabi, confirming the already exciting test results. Rose to the top step Bianchi, followed by Grosjean, among the favorites to win the Asian Championship and also the Main Series. The race has been stopped due to a spectacular accident that unfortunately involved a teammate of Davide, the Brazilian Razia, thankfully unhurt.

"First of all I'm glad we ended the first race with my new team on the podium and thank the team for their work - said Davide at the end of the race - It 's important that we have now shown to be at the top. Now we gave to find out why we were not able to be more aggressive and closer to the leaders throughout the race. Anyway,here is very difficult to overtake. I'll start from the third row, and I do not know what to expect. But of course the race will be decided in the early laps, as there will be no pit stops and overtaking is difficult indeed. Today I started well, so I hope it is tomorrow”.

Race 2 will be broadcast tomorrow at 2pm on Eurosport 2 and Rai Sport2.

David confirmed all expectations and closed in third place yesterday, today, our champion has bitten the Abu Dhabi track, winning the fourth. So today werent jubilant toast but a better placement that puts Davide to the third place of the provisional overall standings with nine points in GP2 Asia,just after White (12points) and Grosjean (10 points).

For the next few races is therefore outlines an exciting head to head, where every start and the ability to not make mistakes can really make a difference as to who will rise to the top step of the championship 2011.

Today's race ended with the victory of David Cole as he finished in fourth place after an exciting duel with Bianchi, who had passed the last lap. Struggle that has not spared, however, the cheap shots as the French, Ferrari F1 test pilot, missed a curve to be able to recover two seconds separating him from the car of David. "I think he skipped the chicane, that’s not regular", said David at the end of the race. And he was right: Whites was in fact punished for the maneuver, dropping to the eighth place.