Prior to the dramatic Formula 1 race in Barcelona on Sunday, the day’s racing kicked off with the second round of the GP3 Series for 2012. Taking the chequered flag was Conor Daly, son of former F1 driver Derek, who won with Lotus GP for the first time.
Daly Jr. switched to Europe last year after winning the Star Mazda championship in the United States. Born and bred in the USA, he carries American nationality even though his father is an Irishman. Daly took the chequered flag by 3.2 seconds, sharing the podium with Jenzer’s Robert Visoiu and Matias Laine of MW Arden.
Although dark clouds hovered above the Circuit de Catalunya, rain failed to fall as the action kicked off. Visoiu started from pole position by virtue of the reserve grid format relating to the result of yesterday’s race, but was second by Turn 1 as Tio Ellinas shot into the lead; the reason for his rapid start soon turned out to be a jump start, for which he was punished in the form of a drive-through penalty.
A number of drivers were caught up in early-race clashes, notably Race 1 winner Mitch Evans who suffered a left-rear puncture and was forced to dive into the pit lane as a result; Daly led the way from Visoiu and David Fumanelli. Increasing his advantage after the pit-stops, the American held on to win.
Despite his misfortune, New Zealander Evans – a close friend of Red Bull’s Mark Webber and living next-door to the Australian in England – keeps his championship lead, with Daly and fourth place finisher Aaro Vainio just two points behind.
GP3 continues on the streets on Monaco in a fortnight’s time
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| Pos. | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  C. Daly | Lotus GP | 27:21.043 |
| 2. | R. Visoiu | Jenzer | +3.265 |
| 3. | M. Laine | MW Arden | +4.168 |
| 4. | A. Vainio | Lotus GP | +4.877 |
| 5. | P. Niederhauser | Jenzer | +5.669 |
| 6. | D. Abt | Lotus GP | +9.341 |
| 7. | A. Felix da Costa | Carlin | +9.688 |
| 8. | A. Brundle | Carlin | +9.833 |
| 9. | W. Buller | Carlin | +12.090 |
| 10. | K. Ceccon | Ocean | +12.401 |
| Full results | |||
| Conor Daly | |||
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| More Conor Daly photos | |||
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