First Formula One Points For Bruno Senna

Bruno Senna scored his first ever F1 points on his second outing for Lotus Renault GP. It marked the first time since the 1993 Australian Grand Prix that the Senna name has appeared on the points list. The Brazilian finished in ninth place, improving one position on where he started, while team-mate Vitaly Petrov’s race ended at the first corner.

Bruno Senna, Lotus Renault GP

Photo by: xpb.cc

The Russian, who started an impressive seventh, was battling Nico Rosberg through Turn 1 when Vitantonio Liuzzi lost control of his HRT, spun backwards across the grass and smashed into three cars at the chicane, destroying Petrov’s car and his race. Senna, who lost positions during the Turn 1 melee and pitted on lap 2 for soft tyres, dropped to 18th and gained nine positions during the remainder of the race.

Bruno Senna:

“I’m happy to score my first F1 points today, especially as it was only my second race for the team. Although I started tenth, it wasn’t easy to finish ninth. We suffered some bad luck in the first corner; everybody was cutting the chicane, which forced me to drive around the outside and in the process I lost all the places I had fought so hard for in qualifying. The pace of the car was clear for all to see, but I wish the race was just one lap longer because I may have been able to pass Paul di Resta for eighth. The team did a great job and I am really looking forward to Singapore."

Vitaly Petrov, Lotus Renault GP

Photo by: xpb.cc

Vitaly Petrov:

“Naturally I am very disappointed with what happened today. I had a reasonable start and, as I was heading into the first chicane, Vitantonio’s HRT came from nowhere and hit me big time. There’s nothing I could have done to avoid this. I’m happy not to be injured. On the upside, the car has felt good since the first practice session here; we definitely made a step forward performance-wise and we should have a strong end to the season.”

Eric Boullier, Lotus Renault GP Team Principal:

“I have mixed feelings because the first corner cost us dear today. It was good to see Bruno score his first points in F1, and it is clear that if we have a trouble free race we can finish much higher.”