Davide Valsecchi News

GP of Spa: Qualifying

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:45:00 +0200

The GP2 Main Series was back on track after three weeks on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where today held the qualifying session. Davide Valsecchi concluded the session in eleventh position.

“Even in free-practice the day was not the most lucky for me - said Davide – because I was stopped by a technical problem that broken my engine. The team changed the engine in time to be at the start of qualifying-session. The track was very wet, like in the free practice, and was stopped 4 times with red-flag. Then I was stopped by a flat tire, and I've lost time for coming back into the pit-lane to replace with a new one, losing the time that usually we use to optimize the set-up. Then I could finally do a clean-lap, and I was seventh, but I was also the first to take the checkered flag, and four other drivers overtook me. A difficult day, but we will work hard hoping that tomorrow can be better".

Race 1 will start tomorrow at 15:40 on the distance of 26 laps. The final race of Belgian weekend is scheduled on Sunday at 10:35 on the distance of 18 laps.

Spa: Race 1

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:10:00 +0200

Tough day for Davide Valsecchi in the eighth round of the GP2 Main Series circuit at Spa circuit. At the end of the race-1 Davide was ranked in sixteenth place, after an unlucky race that did not allow him to collect what he expected.

"My race started very badly - Davide said - because at the start I stalled. So I started from pit-lane, and after a few laps I was penalized with a drive-through penalty for exceeding the speed-limit in pit lane. For long part of the race I was alone, and basically the car was not bad. In the end we also played the card of rain-tires, but the rain hoped has not arrived. Then I returned to slick tires trying to make at least the fastest lap of the race. A difficult race where there were mistakes and some unlucky circumstances".

The second and final race of the weekend at Spa, which will see Davide start from the eighth row, is scheduled tomorrow at 10:35.

Spa: Race 2

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:50:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi ended in eighth position the final race of Spa weekend, home of the eighth round of the GP2 Main Series 2010. The race, held in dry track conditions, has been frozen for three times by the safety-car.

"It was a race neutralized a few times - said Davide – but my pace was very good. After a very difficult race-1, also affected by the failure of a component of the clutch that the team has found in the evening, I must say that I enjoyed today. It was not easy to gain positions, because even if I was faster is not easy to overtake other cars, and I lost time in some laps of the race. But today's race has given me confidence for the next meeting, which for me has a very particular taste,. It will be my home race at Monza and i hope to give to all my supporters a great weekend".

GP of Budapest: Qualifying

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:10:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi secured second place at the end of qualifying session today in Budapest circuit.

After a very difficult session with a lot of traffic on the track, Davide scored an important second place setting his best lap under the chequered flag.

"The day started very well - Davide explained - and in the qualifying session with the first set of new tires I got the fastest time. Usually here in Budapest with the second set of new tires you cannot improve the lap time, but today the temperature went few degrees down and the pole position still opened with the last set of tires. It was not easy to find a 'free' lap because the track was so much traffic, and the final minutes there was also the yellow flag in the last sector for a few laps. I pushed until the end and I got an important second place that pays the job I did together with all the members of the team. Now my greatest wish is to do a good start in tomorrow’s race".

Hungarian weekend will see the first race of the weekend starting tomorrow at 15:40 on the distance of 42 laps. Race-2 is scheduled Sunday at 10:35 on the distance of 28 laps. Race-1 will be broadcast live by Raisport2 from 15:35. The final race of the weekend will be as usual broadcast live by RAI2.

Budapest: Race 1

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:30:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi has finished in ninth place the first race of GP2 Main Series in Budapest.

David's race was doomed by a small mistake at the start, when the engine switch-off during the start-procedure. After that his race started from the pitlane, but Davide passes a lot of cars finishing is race near the points-place.

"I'm sorry for the start - Valsecchi confirmed – because in the race I have been shown to have a good pace and that a podium place was possible to score. My race was good, but the disappointment fort the start is big. In the final part of the race i was hoping to reach the eighth position, that means to score the pole position in tomorrow's race, but against Ricci, who was in front of me me, I never had a real chance of overtaking. Let's see if tomorrow's race-2 I can score some points".

The weekend will finish tomorrow with race-2, scheduled at 10:35 on the distance of 28 laps. The race will be broadcast live from RAI2.

Budapest: Race 2

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:40:00 +0200

After a strong comeback, started from ninth position at the start and finished in third place, Davide Valsecchi has managed to get on the Budapest podium at the end of race-2.

After struggling in race-1 that saw him to lose the front row start for the engine shutdown, Davide did a very strong performance that put him from last to ninth. In today's race continued its comeback, thanks to a great start and a brilliant overtaking in the race final against Van der Garde, cross the finish-line in third place.

"The start of the race was the crucial moment - says David - and also the first lap, where I managed to gain positions, taking me straight to the fifth. The pace was good throughout the race, and after the stop of D'Ambrosio I was close to Van der Garde and then we played for the third place. It went well, I made a good overtaking and I'm happy to go home with a cup. From Hockenheim we are competitive again, and would be a shame not to leave a mark on this weekend".

The GP2 Main Series will have now some holiday weeks, returning to the track the last weekend of August at the Spa Circuit.

Hockenheim: qualifying

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:00:00 +0200

The German circuit of Hockenheim, hosted today the sixth round of the GP2 Main Series 2010 season.

The qualifying session, held in wet conditions, had two breaks with red flag, and the second stop was after a Davide Valsecchi crash happened five minutes from the end of session. Davide arrived into the "Motodrome", the final part of the German circuit, and following a misunderstanding with another car, was forced off the track ended up against the external barriers.

"I'm definitely not happy with today’s session - Davide said - it was possible to achieve a good result, but now I have to start race-1 from the eighteenth position. I was already following Herck car from some corners, and when we entered into the 'Motodrome' he kept the left line. It seemed a signal to be able to pass him on the right side, but when I was side by side I saw that his car moving towards me, and then the only possibility I had to avoid the impact was to come outside the track. A simple misunderstanding has closed every chance I had to do well, and tomorrow I will have a race not easy for sure".

The first race of the German weekend is scheduled tomorrow at 15:40 and will be broadcast live from RaiSport Sat.

Hockenheim: Race 1

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:20:00 +0200

Unlucky day for David Valsecchi at Hockenheim circuit in the first race of the GP2 Main Series German weekend.

After a good start from the eighteenth position on the grid, Davide had a good recovery, and in just four laps he took the ninth place. He was fighting for an unexpected result in the points, when in the lap 5, after a crash, he was forced to pit to change a flat tire and the front nose. Davide came back to the track in last position and finished his race in seventeenth place, position that will also take in the tomorrow's race grid.

"Today’s start was very good - said Davide - and my race started very well, because I managed to recover many positions. Then on the lap 5 I tried to pass Luiz Razia, but unfortunately I went into deep and I believe that Luiz did not have time to see me coming. I'm sorry for myself and for Luiz, because I think we had the opportunities to finish the race in a good position".

Hockenheim: Race 2

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:30:00 +0200

After the yesterday unlucky race, Davide Valsecchi has started race-2 from the last position on the grid.

The final race of Hockenheim weekend, sixth round of the GP2 Main Series 2010 season, has become a test of some technical solutions, and Davide has passed under the checkered flag in eighteenth place.

"From the twenty-fourth position there was no chance to finish the race in the points - said Davide - so I decided according with the team to use today's race to check some set-up solutions that we want to use in the Budapest race, scheduled next weekend. In terms of pure performance the feedback were positive, and my fastest lap was not far from the top-5 drivers. Now I’m looking forward to getting back on track on the Budapest circuit hoping to return to the podium".

Silverstone: qualifying

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:20:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi finished in eleventh position the qualifying session held today at the Silverstone Circuit.

The iSport driver was stopped by traffic problem that has not allowed him to use the benefits from new tires. Before tomorrow’s race, all the data from today will be analyzed to check if the set-up car work correctly.

"With the first set of new tires the time was not bad - said Davide - I was about three-tenths from pole position. I was confident, because I got my time at fourth lap, because I had previously always abort my laps because of the slower cars in front. Then with the second set of tires, the situation has not been better and I could not find a 'clean' lap except when the tires were finished. But I want to be sure that the today’s problem was 'only' the traffic, and we will analyze the data to verify everything".

The penalty imposed on two drivers in the previous test in Valencia, will consent Davide to start in tomorrow race from ninth position. The Silverstone weekend will continue tomorrow with race-1, scheduled at 14:40 local-time (-1 hours than Italy) over a distance of 29 laps. The final race of the weekend is scheduled for Sunday at 9:35 (local-time) on the distance of 21 laps. Television coverage will be guaranteed live from RaiSport Sat.

Silverstone: Race 1

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:25:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi has finished in seventh place the first race held today at Silverstone Circuit. This result will allow Davide to start from second place in the final race of the British weekend.

"After a not lucky qualifying session I cannot say that today’s result is too bad - said Davide - because after qualifying I lost a set of tires damaged, and I had to start my race with the set of tires used in free practice, so very worn. So i was forced to an early pit-stop, and when I went back out with fresh tires, the race-pace was not bad. Then, as I expected, I suffered a bit 'in the final laps, but to finished the race in the points has been a good goal. I do not think today we had a car with a performance for the podium, but tomorrow we'll see if we can capitalize the start from the front row of the grid".

The race will start at 10:35 (Italian time) on the distance of 21 laps and will be broadcast live from RAI2.

Silverstone: Race 2

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:00:00 +0200

David Valsecchi completed his Silverstone weekend suffered also in race-2, that saw him struggle against a set-up the was not the best possible in term of efficiency.

Davide finished the race in sixth place, trying to defend the position from the faster cars.

"It 'was a race conditioned by the lack of grip - Davide said - where defending my position was the only possible approach. I managed to keep a good pace in the first three laps, then the performances went down, as happened in Barcelona weekend. I hope the team will find a solution before the weekend at Hockenheim".

Valencia: qualifying

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:00:00 +0200

Today in Valencia street circuit has started the fourth round of the 2010 GP2 Main Series season. After a fought qualifying session, Davide Valsecchi scored the fourth position that will consent him to start from second row in the first race of the Spanish weekend, tomorrow at 16 o’clock.

"I am very happy with this result - said Davide - because from the Monte Carlo weekend, we always confirmed in top positions, and this type of consistency is what we need for trying to win the championship. Valencia is a track very strange, not a real street-circuit, but also on a very particular configuration we have always been in top positions. The fourth position scored today is not exactly what I hoped before the start, because in free-practice I had been third, but I also consider that in qualifying with the first set of tires the set-up of the car was not perfect and I found myself out of the top ten. The team has done a very good job modifying the set-up of the car in a few minutes, and the situation is much improved with the second set of tires. Now we will work to prepare race-1, that I expected very hard".

Valencia: Race 1

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:35:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi has finished in 10. place the first GP2 Main Series race held today at the Valencia circuit. After a good start Davide has slipped to fourth place, while keeping the position when the safety-car entered the track after an accident at first lap that has involved many cars.

When the race resumed, Valsecchi passed Maldonado, reaching third place, but after a few turns Bianchi passed the race-leader Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver has close the line where Davide was trying to pass too, and he could not do anything to avoid the impact. Perez is spun, and Valsecchi was penalized by the Race Director with a drive-through penalty that moved him in late position.

"I think it was a racing incident - said David - i was surprised by the penalty I had. When I tried to attack Perez was clear that the Mexican driver was in a difficult moment because of Bianchi and he closed the line very hard and I was not hitting him. Probably I should wait before trying to overtake him, but I had no interest in ending the race with an accident. I am disappointed, the start was good, and although today was not possible to win, the podium was definitely possible to reach. Tomorrow in race-2 I will start from tenth position, and with a little luck I hope to score some points. We will see".

Valencia: Race 2

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:40:00 +0200

David Valsecchi he finished in a good sixth place the final race of the fourth round of the GP2 Main Series, held today on the Valencia street circuit. After a crazy first lap where some crashes causes a long Safety-Car time, Valsecchi has took all the opportunities occurred, and managed to end his race with a strong points finish place after starting from tenth on the grid.

"Today's race was obviously influenced by the outcome happened yesterday - said David - and my starting position was not the best. It was a race that pleased me, because I made no mistakes and I made the most of every opportunity. At the first corner I ran some risk, but today went well.

But I must say that I still do not undestand the penalty handed me yesterday. Watching the contact with Perez on television, I'm convinced even more that the drive-through is very questionable. But now I want to forget this weekend and I will concentrate on the next round at Silverstone, where I want to find again the way for the podium".

Istanbul: qualifying

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:40:00 +0200

With a superb lap Davide Valsecchi set a fantastic time that gave him pole position at the end of the qualifying session today at the Istanbul circuit.

Davide jumped into the lead just a few seconds from the end of the session. "Since the early laps of free-practice I felt the car would be well balanced for this track - David said - and I expected a good qualifying position. Then pole position come, but I was no sure about that because the radio-link with my pit-wall did not work and I didn’t know if I overtook Pastor Maldonado or not! It 's a good way to start the weekend, but now my focus will be on the race. I hope in a good start, because I think our car has a great peace in race condition”.

Tomorrow’s race will start at 14:40 (Italian time) and will be broadcasted ‘live’ by RaiSport Sat.

Istanbul: race 1

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sat, 29 May 2010 16:50:00 +0200

After setting pole position yesterday, Davide Valsecchi has finished second in the first race held today at the Istanbul circuit.

The race began with a difficult start, and Davide after the pit-stop passed in third place. In the second half of the race the pace was consistently faster, and in the end passed Sergio Perez at turn ‘12’, finishing behind the winner Pastor Maldonado.

"I am very happy - commented David - because we were competitive and the team did a good job. Today against Maldonado there was nothing to do but we put in back all the other cars, and this is a good view to continuing the season. I struggled a bit 'in the early laps, but when in the second part of the race many other cars had traction problems, we emerged strong on turning good lap times. Now the best hope is to end this weekend scoring important points in the race-2”.

The weekend will conclude tomorrow in Istanbul with the dispute of the second race. The race will start at 10:35 (Italian time) and will be shown live on television RAI2.

Istanbul: race 2

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sun, 30 May 2010 13:20:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi has finished fourth in the GP2 Main Series race-2 held today at Istanbul Park Circuit.

An important result, which allowed Davide to be the driver that scored the most number of points in the Turkish weekend, and at the same time to take the sixth place in the championship standings.

"At the first corner I overtook one car - Davide said - and in the first laps I had a good pace. I passed Herck and after the technical problem that stop Vietoris I found myself in fourth place behind Van der Garde. I tried the attack one time, but our pace lap was very similar, and I had not a real chance to pass him without taking excessive risks. I am very happy with the global result of this weekend, we were competitive and the bad luck that struck us in Monaco was made by".

The next round of the GP2 Main Series will be in Valencia last weekend of June.

Monte Carlo: qualifying

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:05:00 +0200

In the qualifications for the second round of the 2010 GP2 Main Series at Monte Carlo, Davide Valsecchi ended up in 7th place. As rain started to fall hard before the session's start, all drivers were forced to put rain tires on.

Unfortunately, a slight mistake cost Davide, who passed too close to the stuck car of Pastor Maldonado, a 5-position penalty.

"When I crossed the line on my last lap, I relaxed a bit and, at St. Devote, when I saw marshals working, I braked and wheels locked-up - told Davide - luckily enough, I just brushed by Pastor's car, and the penalty won't prevent me from fighting for a points spot. It's a bit of a shame because our performance in qualifying was good. With a drying track, all the best marks came at the very end, and as I got past the line in third, four more cars topped me in a few moments. Here in Monaco the race is aways really long, and I hope to get some spots back tomorrow”.

Monte Carlo: race 1

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Fri, 14 May 2010 18:00:00 +0200

The first race of Monaco GP2 Main Series event for Davide Valsecchi ended in a very unlucky way.

Having started from twelfth position on the grid, at the first corner Davide was hit from the car of Max Chilton.

"Before the start my goal was just to stay out of trouble - Valsecchi said - but a few meters after the start I heard a shot and then a car that flew over me. ... I found my car with a broken rear wing, so I was forced to pit, losing a lap. After that my race is over, even if the stop came after twenty laps after a 'pinched' to the Swimming Pool chicane. A bad day for me and the team, because today we had a very good car, and when I was in a position to drive a clear lap my laptime was competitive as the race leader. It is not our weekend, and I hope things will go better in tomorrow’s race".

Monte Carlo: race 2

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sat, 15 May 2010 20:30:00 +0200

"It hasn't been a positive weekend, but I strongly believe that it were only mistakes and episodes to have conditioned our race. Unlike at Barcelona, our overall performance was good here, so I'm really looking forward to the next round at Istanbul".

Davide Valsecchi was all in all upbeat today, after ending up Race 2 of the GP2 Main Series weekend at Monte Carlo in 16th. As he took off from row 9, he proved as fast as the front runners, showing an higher potential than in the first round.

"At the start, a first-corner melee forced me and many other drivers to cut the apex. Everybody was penalized with a drive-through then, but it hasn't been a very decisive event in my race today. Now I want to focus on the next round at Istanbul, I'm sure we'll be among the leading pack".

Barcelona: qualifying

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:55:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi will take off from Row 5 at the start of the first GP2 Main Series of the 2010 season. The qualifying session at Barcelona has been conditioned by the varying performance level of the asphalt, as laptimes proved much lower in the early stages.

"In the first laps of the qualifying session, the grip was definitely higher - explained Davide - then the track became more and more slippery, and improving my 10th spot has been almost impossible. It hasn't been a great day, but I hope to improve my position on Race 1. It'll be pretty long and we'll be able to profit from our lap consistence".

The first race of the Main Series will take off at 15:40, with live coverage in Italy on RaiSportSat.

Barcelona: race 1

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sat, 08 May 2010 21:25:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi ended up in a tough an exhausting race in 10th at Barcelona, in the first round of the 2010 GP2 Main Series.

Today's race have been heavily conditioned by grip issues on the track, with several cars experiencing huge handling issues. Among them, the one brought on-track by Davide: "It's been an incredibly hard race. The car's handling has had issues since Qualifying, but during the race things got even worse, and there was nothing we could do about it. I hoped for a points spot, but keeping the pace of the car in front was really tough, especially in the closing stages. I hope for an improvement on Race 2".

The last race of the weekend will be taking off tomorrow at 10:30, with live coverage in Italy by RAI 2.

Barcelona: race 2

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Sun, 09 May 2010 18:00:00 +0200

Davide Valsecchi ended up Race 2 of the 2010 GP2 Series season opener in 11th place at Barcelona. The Italian suffered from set-up issues, and had to fight his way through the finish on the Catalan racetrack.

"It's been just like yesterday - explained Davide - as I experienced a really hard race. I hoped that with new tires for everybody things would have gone better, but lap-by-lap the car has become harder and harder to drive. I really had no chance to run on competitive laptimes. I've been really surprised by the tire wear, since we are usually competitive under a tire management point of view. I hope to forget this weekend soon, as we'll be lining-up for the second round at Montecarlo in a few days. I hope to be back to the competitive level we had in the Asia Series and during the pre-season.

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:30:00 +0200

Preview 2010 GP2 Main Series

press@davidevalsecchi.it (Davide Valsecchi) — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:30:00 +0200

What will the new season look like? Davide Valsecchi has clear goals in mind for his 2010 GP2 Main Series championship. “I want to be a leading contender, and after quite a while, I think the puzzle is now complete. I'm ready, and aware that my team can bring me to the top since the start”

Unlike the past couple of seasons, you'll be starting among the men to watch. How does it feel?
“Thank goodness! That means I'm well-considered, and that there's a lot of people respecting ad even fearing me. I think my Asia Series title showcased myself as a driver able to take wins. I think that being among the possible winners in the European series is just a consequence.”

How came the laptimes during winter testing haven't always been among the best on the charts?
“It's true, we haven't been the fastest on-track, and at the beginning I even started to get concerned too. Then, working and talking with the engineers, I felt their optimism, and I realized that they were thinking about all the conditions we'll face race-by-race rather then concentrate on pure lap performance. On the final day of testing at Barcelona, during the PM session, we went out for a qualifying simulations, and we were among the leaders. I'm quite confident.”

How do you see the situation, with all the tough rivals set to challenge you?
“It'll be an hard championship because the favorites' circle is pretty wide. Pastor Maldonado appeared as one of the toughest rivals in testing, because he's been fast in any condition. I think Jerome D'Ambrosio will be part of the game. Looking at rookies, it's tougher to predict who'll stand out from the start. We'll see, I feel ready to battle with all my rivals, and I definitely know I have all that it takes to do a great job.”

So your only goal is victory?
“I'm starting with my feet well down to the ground, but I'll be aiming to win. I want to be among the leading pack, and have my say on every racetrack and in any condition. Then, a lot of incidents can happen between winning and having to settle for second, but if you race well and show how good as a driver you are to the observers, you've still hit the target”