The DAMS team had a mixed weekend in Germany. The team is very satisfied with Felipe Nasr’s excellent performance (4th and 3rd). However, Davide Valsecchi wasn’t able to take full advantage of a mistake by his rival, Luiz Razia, in Sunday’s race. He is still in the running for the title, ten points behind the Brazilian. Yet again, the DAMS cars were very quick right from the start of free practice (fastest time for Davide). Unfortunately, qualifying didn’t go off as successfully as expected with fifth and sixth places on the grid after a rival was penalised.
In the main race the French team wasn’t able to gamble starting on slicks on a wet track because of its position in the championship. Felipe Nasr drove a remarkably controlled race to fourth place. Davide Valsecchi, who obviously wanted to do his best, made a mistake and in trying to fight his way back to the front he destroyed his tyres and finished outside the points.
On Sunday, Nasr made a great start from second place but was then pulled in and saw the flag in third spot after another excellent drive. Davide again showed his attacking flair in the opening laps until he was tagged by Joylon Palmer and spun. He then got the bit between his teeth and fought back to a ninth-place finish. His fighting spirit was rewarded with two points after two drivers in front of him were declassified.
Jean-Paul Driot, CEO: “We’re still in the battle for the titles thanks to the team’s cohesion and its reactive capacity even when we have a difficult weekend. Congratulations to Felipe for this new podium; he’s now a regular podium contender and soon he’ll be fighting for victory. It’s a shame for Davide today, but I’m sure he’ll bounce back at the next round in Budapest.”
Davide Valsecchi: “It’s been a weekend from hell for me. I could really kick myself for my mistake in the first race; it cost both me and the team a lot. I’m really sorry for them and I’m going to fight back and be even stronger next weekend at the Hungaroring.”
Felipe Nasr: “I’m delighted with this new podium finish and I’d like to thank the whole team who again gave me an excellent car. I could maybe have done better on Sunday, but this result is already a source of satisfaction. It’ll help me to continue in the same vein and aim even higher ? why not in Budapest?”
Next round: Budapest (Hungary) 28-29 July 2012