29/07/2006
NEWS STORY
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Gimmi Bruni has converted his second 2006 GP2 series pole into his second win of the season after a determined and impressive race in which he held off the advances of championship leader Lewis Hamilton to take the chequered flag by just over a second. The pair were joined on the podium by Timo Glock, who reached third place despite serving a drive thru penalty for speeding in the pitlane.
Gimmi led from pole into turn one as second-placed Timo bogged down and caught bags full of wheel spin, dropping him down to fourth behind the Italian, Nelson Piquet Jr and Giorgio Pantano. Nelson and Gimmi started pulling away from Giorgio, who began to build up a train behind him of Timo, Ernesto Viso, Lewis and Adam Carroll. As the laps rolled past Timo was doing all he could to regain his lost positions. On lap four he shot up the inside of Giorgio at the hairpin and chased off after Nelson whom he caught and passed in the same place 12 laps later. Lewis meanwhile had passed Ernesto, and opted for an early stop.
By this point Gimmi had a two second lead over the pursuing Timo and Nelson, and on lap 17 the leader pitted, with Nelson following suit. A problem with Gimmi's rear left lost him his two second advantage, and he emerged with Nelson right on his tail. Timo was in two laps later, and after a perfect stop he re-emerged in the lead and at the front of a three-way battle for the lead with Gimmi and Nelson. The three of them were covered by just one second.
But the perfect battle was not to last, as both Nelson and Timo were forced to serve drive thru penalties for speeding in the pitlane. The order after their stops left Gimmi in the lead, with Lewis hot in pursuit, Giorgio in third, Timo in fourth and Nelson back in seventh behind Adam in fifth and Ernesto in sixth. The Brazilian however was in fighting spirit and dispatched Ernie in a single lap, taking just a further two to nip past Adam. He set off after Timo who was reeling in Giorgio at a rate of knots. With just seven laps left Timo had caught Giorgio, and at Turn 2 the Italian covered his line, only to see Timo power past on the exit having stuck to the standard line. Next lap round and Nelson pulled off the same move after some seriously late braking.
While Lewis threw all he could at Gimmi up front, Nelson was doing everything to get by Timo. On the last lap the pair touched and Nelson's car slowed and ground to a halt, an apparent fuel issue bringing to an end a gallant race from the Brazilian. Gimmi ran home victorious, a second in front of Lewis with Timo a safe third ahead of his team-mate Ernesto, Giorgio fifth and Adam sixth. Jose Maria Lopez had driven an unbelievable race from the very back of the grid to finish seventh, while Clivio Piccione picked up the final points slot and pole for tomorrow with eighth. Alex Premat took the point for fastest lap after a tough race which had seen him lapped twice.
1st Gimmi Bruni – Trident Racing: I am really happy, especially because I had contact with Nelson at the start and he broke my exhaust. In the last 10 laps I couldn't use sixth gear, but I held on, drove hard, and came out with the win!
2nd Lewis Hamilton – ART Grand Prix: The car felt great for me, and we needed the points. Considering that Gimmi had so many problems, he was extremely quick. I really was extremely impressed with his pace and how he drove.
3rd Timo Glock – iSport International: I just tried to make the pitstop too perfect and I knew straight away I'd been too fast in the pits. The guys did an awesome job. I wish I could have won for my home fans but there's always tomorrow.