Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona - 31/10/12

Day 2 of the Official GP2 test in Barcelona started slowly with only three drivers setting lap times in the first hour as torrential rain saturated the circuit creating treacherous conditions.

The rain abated a few hours into the session and both Alexander Rossi and Lucas Foresti ventured on track. The drivers quickly adapted to the wet conditions and after seven laps Rossi topped the times with Foresti not far behind. The session became extremely competitive as the track dried with different drivers topping the timing screens every few seconds.

The afternoon session started at 1pm and on a drying track Caterham Racing put both drivers out on slick tyres. Rossi quickly set the pace on new tyres and topped the times for the majority of the session, remaining P1 at the flag with a time of 1:31.173. Foresti was less lucky and finished the session P24 after both his flying laps on new tyres were hampered by red flags and a spin. Foresti's sector times in S1 and S2 prior to the red flag were good enough to put him in the top five and the team are very happy with the performance of both drivers.

Alexander Rossi "This morning was very good experience for me to test the Pirelli wets and we spent most of the morning trying different tyre pressures. This afternoon we went out on slicks and although there was less grip than in yesterday's session the car felt quick. It was a great test with Caterham Racing and I am very pleased to finish the afternoon with the fastest time, now I am really looking forward to seeing what we can do in Jerez next month." 

Lucas Foresti "Today was challenging but I really enjoyed the session this morning and now I have a good understanding of the GP2 car in wet conditions. This afternoon was a little frustrating as the car felt good but there were so many red flags that I didn't get a clean lap on my new tyres. I would like to congratulate the team as they have a really fast car and did a great job."

Caterham Racing Team Manager Phill Spencer "I am very pleased with the performance of both the drivers and the team today in tricky conditions.  It is great to see Alexander at the top of the times and Lucas was just unlucky with the red flags this afternoon, meaning he could not put a lap together on new tyres. We have concluded a good test here in Barcelona with both dry and wet running and now look forward to Jerez in November".

Caterham Racing Chief Engineer Humphrey Corbett "We are very happy with Alexander's performance in both sessions and he worked extremely well with his engineer Patrick Coorey to achieve his times. We were equally impressed with Lucas' feedback and he shows real promise following his first GP2 test. This afternoon was unfortunate and we are sure Lucas would have been close to the top of the time sheets given a clear lap, it has been a very successful test and great experience in wet and dry conditions."

Caterham Racing now look forward to the final outing of 2012 at the post season test in Jerez on 22nd/23rd November where Alexander Rossi returns to the driving seat and the second driver will be announced in due course.

Ends