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Portimao: Racing Engineering qualifying report

Fantastic qualifying results for Fat Burner Racing Engineering This afternoon, Fat Burner Racing Engineering driver Dani Clos obtained his best qualifying result so far in a GP2 qualifying session at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. The ...

Published: Oct 2, 2009, 4:12 PM

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Fantastic qualifying results for Fat Burner Racing Engineering

This afternoon, Fat Burner Racing Engineering driver Dani Clos obtained his best qualifying result so far in a GP2 qualifying session at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. The Spaniard qualified in second place at the Portuguese track while his teammate Lucas Di Grassi finished fourth.

The last meeting of the 2009 GP2 season kicked off this morning at the Autodromo Internacional in Portimao, where a few showers surprised the paddock during the morning hours. The two free practice sessions gave the drivers the opportunity to adapt to this new venue on the GP2 calendar and work on their respective cars set-ups for the weekend. The Fat Burner Racing Engineering drivers showed a very promising rhythm during both test sessions, that were characterized by difficult conditions as the track went from wet to damp and then to dry during the second session. Lucas finished the first session in fourth position, while Dani was eighth. The second session saw Lucas in thirteenth and Dani in ninth position.

After a short break at midday, and with temperatures rising at the portuguese track, Lucas and Dani headed off to the qualifying session with high hopes and the main goal of scoring the best result possible in the last qualifying session of the 2009 season. And they did not disappoint. Both Fat Burner Racing Engineering drivers immediately started to set very competitive times and quickly made it within the top 5.

Back on track after stopping in pits to change the tyres, Dani seemed to be on a mission and managed to place himself in second place, while his teammate Lucas was 5th. But with great determination, Lucas showed his fighting spirit to topped the time-sheets with a best time of 1:31.450. Before completing their last fast laps, both drivers entered boxes once again. With their minds up to the task, Lucas and Dani retuned to the portuguese layout to show the rest of the competitors that they were not giving up despite having lost a few places during the minutes they had spent in boxes. With moments left for the checkered flag, Dani did his best lap of the day putting himself in second position, behind pole sitter Petrov. Lucas, after making a little mistake on his last try, finished the session in fourth position.

Dani Clos: I am happy to start the last weekend of the season so well as the team worked very hard during free practice. During qualifying I was constantly within the top 5 and it was great to set the second fastest lap time on my last lap. During this season I had several DNF-s and didn't get as much mileage as others. Additionally I had to learn tracks that were new for me, but today the conditions were pretty much the same for everyone as it was the first time at this track for GP2. I am happy and confident for tomorrow's race. Vitaly Petrov is fast, but nothing is impossible, so we hope for the best tomorrow.

Lucas Di Grassi: Qualifying went fine. I was not able to put a lap together. I made a mistake on my fast lap, pushing too hard. However, second row on the grid is good, although it is a shame because we have lost another two points to Petrov. Nevertheless, we will definitely go for the win tomorrow.

Alfonso de Orleans-Borbon, Team President: Everyone has done a fantastic job. Dani is finally where he should have been earlier during the season. We always knew he could do it, but luck was not always on his side. I am really happy for him and all the crew, as after a difficult season so far, they really deserve such a great result. As for Lucas, I am sure he could have done better, but 4th position is not bad at all. He is a fighter, who never gives up and I am sure he will prove this tomorrow. Thanks again to the entire team for the great job they have done so far this weekend. I hope tomorrow's race will give us something to celebrate.

-credit: re

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