GP2 Series: Evans and King win rain-affected races at Red Bull Ring
Mitch Evans (Campos Racing) and Jordan King (Racing Engineering) are the winners of two GP Series races at Red Bull Ring. For both drivers, it were the first seasons’ victories. Both race was affected by rain and took part on the wet track, with plenty of incidents and off-road excursions.
The New Zealander Evans won the dramatic feature race on Saturday afternoon after starting tenth on the grid. It was a 1-2 victory for Campos Racing as his teammate Sean Gealel took the second place, ahead of Raffaele Marciello (Russian Time).
The race started in dry conditions. The poleman Sergey Sirotkin had a slow start and he dropped behind two Prema Racing teammates Antonio Giovinazzi and Pierre Gasly. On Lap 5, Gassly attacked Giovinazzi and took the lead. On Lap 12, the rain shower on some parts of the track made a conditions difficult. It surprized Gasly and he spun out from the first place, finishing the race in the gravel trap.
After a re-start, Giovinazzi remained in the lead, aheado of Marciello. On Lap 29, the race was red-flagged after Artem Markelov hit the wall at the pit exit. Evans and Gelael were in front because of the late pit-stops. The race re-started behind the Safety Car, with Giovinazzi stalled at the pit exit.
GP2 Series race 1 podium
Lights to flag victory for Jordan King
In the second race, on Sunday morning, the track was wet from the beginning, so drivers at least didn’t have a problem with tyre choice. Jordan King started from pole and remained in the lead for all 28 laps. He crossed the finish line six seconds ahead of Oliver Rowland. Alex Lynn finished third.
Jordan King and Norman Nato were in the front row at the start. The Safety Car was leading the race for the opening three laps. Shortly after the start Sean Gealel and Arthur Pic made a contact, with Gealel stopped in the gravel trap and caused the Safety Car intervention.
On Lap 6, the race re-started and King remained in the lead, ahead of Nato and Rowland. On Lap 8, both Rowland and Marciello passed by Nato. On Lap 22, the new Safety Car intervention followed after Nicholas Latifi stopped near the track. After the re-start, Alex Lynn managed to pass Marciello for P3.
