The third GP2 Asia Series will open next weekend as Formula One inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix support race. Prior to this grand event, the GP2 Asia field gathered this week for a two-day test session held at the Yas Marina circuit. It is the first time that the much-anticipated venue welcomes racing cars and its beautiful layout has already procured good sensations for the drivers.

The morning session was all about learning the 5.555km long track, but on a very dirty track and high temperature, many racers chose to go for installation laps and then patiently wait for the most daring to put rubber on the track. Davide Valsecchi at iSport topped the timing sheet ahead of veteran Luca Filippi at Meritus while rookie Christian Vietoris at Dams rounded out the top 3.

Other rookies Alexander Rossi (Ocean Racing Technology), Sam Bird (ART Grand Prix and Daniel Zampieri (Piquet GP) all finished in the Top 10.

“We were fastest this morning and we had a great pace again this afternoon. But the track conditions between this morning and this afternoon changed drastically, especially with the temperatures dropping 10°C. This morning, the track was not that dirty, but it lacked a lot of grip. When I went out on new tyres this afternoon, the sun was already down and the track was a little bit colder so it was much quicker,” said Davide Valsecchi iSport International.

“We should see again slower times tomorrow morning. It’s a beautiful setting here. Yesterday, when I was running around the track I saw grandstands everywhere. It’s very impressive: you have one every corner and I really hope that it will be full for the race. My favourite part of the track is in sector 1, after the start/finish line. The corners there are really fast. The end of the very long straight in sector 3 with the big braking point is also extremely important because I think this is where you can overtake. And I have to say that the track lightning system is excellent: we can even see clearer than during the day!”

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