The ninth and final round of the 2011 GP2 Main Series started today at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza with the running of practice and qualifying. Racing at the Italian venue has always been special for Davide Valsecchi, who has finally hit his home race again, and at the end of qualifications, the Como-based racer wounded up in 14th at the end of qualifications. Despite not being top-notch, the result proved good for Davide, as it confirmed a positive trend started after a really troubled early run in practice.

"Compared to practice we made giant steps forward in terms of set-up - commented Davide - I have to say that qualifying has been weird today, because the track's conditions worsened in the second part of the run, and I've been one of the few drivers to improve my early marks with my second set of new tires. We did a good job after this morning's session, but we're still facing some tough situations before the start of race 1. Monza usually provides some good room for recovery, although you need a consistent performance. I think that tire wear will be crucial, because the rear tires tend to become an issue here. My starting position isn't great, but I'll start with the clear goal of fighting back to the points zone."

The first race of the weekend, set to run on a 30-lap distance, will be starting tomorrow at 15:40, with live TV coverage on Raisport 1, while the closing 21-lap sprint  will take-off at 10:30 on Sunday (live broadcast on RAI 2).

After a first-lap contact, Davide Valsecchi was forced to an unscheduled pit for repairs at Monza.
Davide Valsecchi definitely had higher expectations for Monza. In race 1 of the GP2 Main Series' Italian weekend, which once again provides the championship with a charming closure, Davide ended up in 20th. His day was conditioned by a contact happened at Prima Variante right after the start and by the resulting front wing damage. Davide had to go back to the pits for repairs and rejoined way down the order and far from the learing pack.

"It's been an incredibly tough race - told the Italian - and I'm really disappointed for not having been able to play the game and aim at a points finish. After having made my way back to the track with the new wing, my pace kept improving considerably, especially after the second stop. I think a tire got damaged in the tangle too and things improved dramatically with the second set on. I hoped for a safety-car condition, as it was the only chance I had to get back in contetion, but nothing particular happened and stayed there through the end".

The final race of the GP2 weekend at Monza is scheduled for tomorrow on a 21-lap distance, and will be broadcasted live in Italy by RAI 2 at 10:30. Davide will take-off from the 10th row on the grid.

Valsecchi rounds out tough weekend at Monza with an off-track exit
Race 2 of Monza's GP2 Main Series weekend ended up bad for Davide Valsecchi, who was forced to retire after 12 laps by an off-track exit at Parabolica. At that point though, a contact at the start had already conditioned the day from the first corner.

"I always try to stay clear of all the potentially risky situations happening in the early stages of the races - said Davide - but I haven't be lucky in doing so this weekend. In both races I got stopped by T1 contacts that damaged my car or made me lose ground and any attempt to enter the points zone futile. I don't think I would have been able to end up into the top-10. After the tangle I was called to a fierce recovery while I was not sure that the car was ok. It's disappointing to end the season this way, but things never played out in my favour this weekend".

With the completion of the last 2011 round of the GP2 Main Series, teams and drivers will now be refocusing on testing, while a non-points race will be held alongside the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix on the next November.