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Nasr Qualifies Third In Malaysia
Carlin’s Felipe Nasr continued the strong form shown in pre-season testing to set the third fastest time in today’s GP2 qualifying session at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. In one of the closest qualifying sessions in the championship’s history, the Brazilian was third fastest, just 0.008 seconds off eventual pole man Stefan Coletti. Carlin team mate Jolyon Palmer struggled with a flat spotted tyre and a sticking throttle and was left frustrated by a 23rd place grid slot for tomorrow’s Feature Race.
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A dry practice session earlier today allowed the GP2 drivers their first taste of the Sepang Circuit in the 2013 season, but with various teams and drivers using various fuel loads, it was hard to tell who would be the main challengers for pole. At the end of the session, Nasr was 6th quickest, while Palmer was 14th.
Despite a brief rain shower early this afternoon, the track was dry for the first qualifying session of the season. Nasr wasted little time in showing his intent and with just eight minutes of the session gone was fastest of all. The 2011 British F3 Champion improved again next time round to increase his gap over the field, until Fabio Leimer went quicker still, relegating Nasr to P2.
Palmer meanwhile was struggling to show the front running pace he’d demonstrated at the last test in Barcelona, as a flat spotted first set of tyres hampered his efforts. At the half way point both Carlin men were in the pits for new tyres, with Nasr still P2 on the timing screens and Palmer P16.
Employing different strategies, a handful of drivers improved while Nasr and Palmer were in the pits changing to new rubber, and as they returned to the track with 10 minutes on the clock, Nasr had dropped to fourth, while Palmer was 18th. A slight sticking throttle prevented a frustrated Palmer from improving any further; the Brit will be keen to make up plenty of places off the line in tomorrow’s Feature race.
Nasr meanwhile was on the attack again set his best personal first sector with five minutes to go. The Brazilian continued to build on the pace, but a slight lock-up at the final corner saw him qualify second, just 0.008 seconds behind Coletti. Second would become third in the final seconds, when James Calado pipped Nasr to second by the smallest of margins, just 0.004 seconds.
Reflecting on his qualifying efforts, Nasr said, “It’s a good start to the year, we thought we had a good car in qualifying and we’ve proved that here. The most important thing is the race and it’s so hot here it will be all about looking after the tyres and making sure we get a strong result. We’ve done the important thing in starting in a good place, and I’m pleased for the team that all the hard work in testing has paid off. James [Calado] is a good starter and both he and Stefano [Coletti] have been quick in testing so for sure it will be a tough race but we will fight them. The main thing is to finish the race and score some good points.”
Trevor Carlin added, “It’s a bit of a 50/50 feeling after that session to be honest – obviously we’re pleased that Felipe was able to fight for pole and see confirmation that we have a quick car, but it’s frustrating that Jolyon wasn’t able to show his potential and be at the front as well. We have two long races ahead of us and some challenging conditions so making a clean start and looking after the tyres will be key to strong points this weekend.”
The first GP2 race of the season will take place at 11.15 local time tomorrow (GMT +8)
PaddockTalk Perspective
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