ASIA – Race 2 – Kobayashi ahead of Grosjean and Petrov

Kamui Kobayashi won his first GP2 Asia race this morning in Malaysia. The Japanese driver, a test driver for Toyota F1, took first place at the first corner and maintained it until the end of the 22-lap sprint race. [View the Race 2 result]

He is ahead of another Formula 1 test driver and current leader of the GP2 championship, as it is Romain Grosjean who steps onto the second spot on the podium. The Frenchman, Renault test driver, started from 9th position on the grid and overtook all his competitors one by one. Only Kobayashi resisted him.

Petrov, winner yesterday, took third place and completed the GP2 podium, in front of the Formula 1 paddocks, with the race having taken place a few hours earlier.

« It’s a fantastic result! I had a perfect start and then led the race to the checkered flag », said Kobayashi at the post-race press conference, despite starting from 4th place.

« I knew Romain [Grosjean] was fast, so I kept pushing. I am really happy to offer this victory to my team: they did an excellent job all weekend and we are leaving Malaysia with two podiums. We are back at the highest level! »

The race was not interrupted by rain like yesterday and no major incidents are to report. 20 out of 26 drivers finished. Only D’Ambrosio and Tahinci made contact at the start, while on lap 18, Buemi attempted a very difficult overtake on Luca Fillipi and both had to retire after colliding…

Valecchi finishes just off the podium, ahead of Buurman and Fauzy. Chandhock comes in 7th at the finish on the first iSport ahead of his teammate Bruno Senna, who achieves the 8th position and the fastest lap of the race in 1:46.548 (20th lap).

Despite the bad luck yesterday during race 1, Grosjean brilliantly managed to retain the lead in the championship, now with an 11-point advantage over Vitaly Petrov, who takes second place.

Malaysian GP – Race 2 Result

Watch the LIVE Race 2