Trident Racing had a positive race in Singapore

The GP2 Series made a scintillating debut in Singapore, as team and drivers were finally able to run one of the world's most fascinating street courses today for race 1. Despite the team did not score points, the day for Trident Racing proved really positive under many aspects. After yesterday's qualifications, when Stéphane Richelmi ended up in 11th and Julian Leal scored the 19th fastest lap, the race proved much more positive.

Richelmi lost a couple of spots in the opening laps and suffered from a progressively worsening tire wear which conditioned his second stint. On the other hand, Leal took advantage of his tires' good performance over the distance to start a good comeback. He managed to get several spots back and to lap on a good pace throughout the day despite his strategy had forced him to pit for tires on lap 6.

Following to today's Race 1 results, Leal will be taking-off from the 6th row on the grid for Race 2, while Richelmi will start from Row 7. The final run of a long 2012 season will be starting tomorrow at 10:00, with live coverage in Italy on RAI2.

Julian Leal, 11th “Once again we proved that we can have a great race pace overall. Having to start from the 9th row on the grid forced me to an early stop at lap 6, but unlike all the other guys on the same strategy, I did not experience any fade in term of performance and I kept on the same pace all the way through the finish. The much-feared tire wear did not hit us and in the final laps my car was faster than the others. It's a pity for the Safety-Car situation that basically shortened the race by two laps, because I could have capped my comeback with a points finish”.

Stéphane Richelmi, 14th “Unfortunately, the anti-stall system came on and I lost a couple of spot. The first few laps were difficult as I had a tough time in driving with cold tires but then I quickly recovered and got closer and closer to the points-paying positions. After lap 10 the tires started to wear out progressively and that conditioned the second part of the race. I was hoping for a much different finish and ready to try and catch the cars I had in front. Unfortunately though, it was me to have tire issues and give up some positions”.

Source: Trident Racing/