First points of 2013 for Barwa Addax Team in Spain

Barwa Addax Team have scored their first points of the 2013 season in the GP2 Series at the Montmelo circuit, with Rio Haryanto finishing in 9th position in Saturday’s first long race. Jake Rosenzweig also had possibilities of finishing in the points with his team mate after both drivers had made great fightbacks.

It was an unfortunate final result for Jake Rosenzweig, because he had deserved much more in the Spanish event. He started with weekend with a discreet result in free practice, in 21st place, but managed to improve it a 16th position in qualification. Rosenzweig drove a great first race. After a flying start and a good first lap he moved up to 12th place. He set good race rhythm just behind the point scoring group of drivers. Unfortunately he had a problem after speeding in the pit lane due to the fact that he was not able to stop the car because his tyres blocked because of their terrible state. This meant that although he was running 15th at the time and was climbing through the field, he was sanctioned with a drive through penalty which ruined all his hard work. This unfortunate incident relegated him to the back of the field. From this point on, he set a fantastic pace recovering lost ground on all the drivers in front and he finished just 16 seconds behind the driver who finished in eighth position and would starting on pole position for Sunday’s second race. Jake deserved to be, and should have been among the main players if it had not been for the drive through. In the second race he had the handicap of having to start from 14th position, in among the main pack of drivers. He was affected by the car that had stalled on the starting grid. He was learning the hard way of what it is like to be fighting it out with drivers of more experience and was unlucky to block the tyres once more colliding with one of his rivals ahead. Another penalty left him out of the race and no reward for all the hard work this weekend.

Something similar happened to Rio Haryanto. He drove really well this weekend but with very little to show for his efforts, in term of results. After two uncomfortable free practice and qualifying sessions he was forced to start the first race way back in 22nd position. He made the most spectacular fightback of the whole weekend. Initially, he set a conservative rhythm in an effort to look after his tyres. He boxed on the 8th lap and continued with his progress . He finished the first race in 9th position giving the Spanish team their first points of the season and the satisfaction of having climbed 13 positions. It was a pity that he could not catch the 8th placed driver as it would have guaranteed him pole position for Sunday’s race. Nevertheless, he had driven a very good race which meant starting among the front runners for the sprint race. He started steadily and was just behind the point scorers with the intention of attacking in the last laps. The pack of drivers in front was being held up by Cecotto who was fighting tooth and nail to defend his position in a car that was affected by problems with aerodynamics and tyres. It meant that a train of drivers had come together to fight it out for the points. While fighting for 5th position, Rio blocked his tyres at the chicane, which made him collide with the car in front, who was forced to take a different line because of the traffic jam of cars in this section of the circuit. The fightback ended there and then for Haryanto who was unable to add to his points tally.

Barwa Addax Team, leave Barcelona having picked up their first points of the season. More importantly, there is a sense of satisfaction with the work carried out by all the team and drivers. Everyone has been able to demonstrate that they are up there with the best. Rio Haryanto has gained his first points having started the race in among the back markers, although he was unable to convert it into the number of points he deserved. The feeling is that the team is now ready to put the bad start to the season behind them. Jake Rosenzweig has made a satisfactory contribution to the team and is progressing well. If it had not been for the penalty in the first race he could have won his first points in the championship and in addition would have been in the leading positions for the start of the second race.

The next event will take place at the Street circuit of Montecarlo, Monaco between the 24th and 25th of May. Barwa Addax Team look to further improve on what have been promising results in Spain. The drivers have the taste of fighting back well and closing in on the points for the first time this season.

Barwa Addax Team