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Rio Haryanto on podium in GP2 opener
Indonesian racer Rio Haryanto put on an impressive performance at the Bahrain International Circuit on Saturday where he finished the feature race in second place, after starting from the 12th position on the grid, during the first series of the 2015 GP2 Championship
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ndonesian racer Rio Haryanto put on an impressive performance at the Bahrain International Circuit on Saturday where he finished the feature race in second place, after starting from the 12th position on the grid, during the first series of the 2015 GP2 Championship.
The 21-year-old driver showcased his skills by making good maneuvers to overtake a number of drivers right up to the last lap. His moves surprised many analysts who hadn't put him down as one of the title challengers this year.
Rio finished behind McLaren development driver Stoffel Vandoorne from Belgium who has also raced for the Formula 1 team as test driver. Alexander Rossi, a former Formula 1 reserve driver and Rio's former teammate in 2014, ended up on the third podium after being beaten by Rio at the final lap.
'It feels really great. After a difficult qualifying yesterday, we were not starting in a good position today. We decided to start with the prime tires and I think it was the right decision,' Rio said after the race, as quoted at the GP2series.com.
Rio jumped one position to 11th after the start. But an early safety car, triggered by a crash involving four cars, transformed the race, allowing Rio to move up several places.
After fulfilling his mandatory pit stop, Rio's fresher tires helped him produce very good pace. He overtook several racers with Rossi becoming his last victim at the final corner.
'We pitted with 10 laps to go. After that, my engineer told me that I was fighting for P9. I was shocked! So I pushed really hard and in the end I managed to finish P2. Not bad!' he added.
The second race will be held in Bahrain on Sunday. Rio will start from seventh position as a result of reverse-grid mechanism adopted by GP2.
Rio is a multiple GP3 winner. He has never won a GP2 race but has secured several podiums since his first full-season GP2 participation in 2012 with Carlin.
Rio previously took part in F1 tests in Abu Dhabi in 2010 and Silverstone in 2012, when he satisfied the eligibility requirements for obtaining a super-license, becoming the first Indonesian driver ever to do so.
GP2 championship is one of F1's feeder series. Many drivers have used the GP2 as a stepping-stone to F1. (nvn)(++++)
