Spain – Race 1: Stoffel Vandoorne doubles down

Stoffel Vandoorne managed to master the challenge to win a very tactical race. The course was indeed influenced by the gamble on tire strategies: from Pole Position, the Belgian driver started with soft tires, as did the two DAMS team drivers, Alex Lynn and Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who started in 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. Behind them, Mitch Evans (Russian Time) and Alexander Rossi (Racing Engineering) had chosen to start on hard tires.

At the start, Vandoorne managed to maintain his lead while Pierre Gasly overtook his teammate at DAMS in the first lap to take 2nd place. Behind them, it was worth noting Arthur Pic’s excellent start, moving from 12th to 6th position. Rio Haryanto and Norman Nato (the two French drivers on hard tires) were in a close pursuit.

On the attack during the opening laps, Vandoorne opted for an aggressive strategy by pitting very early in the Grand Prix. Imitated by Gasly and Lynn, the lead of the race then fell to Mitch Evans.

But even back in traffic, the Belgian driver managed to find a way through with inspired overtakes. His strategy ultimately proved effective, combined with a strong pace. After Evans’ pit stop on Lap 27, Vandoorne regained the lead. However, on hard tires against fresh soft ones, his victory could have been challenged by the New Zealand driver and by Rossi, who emerged ahead of Evans thanks to the pit stop. The American driver even glimpsed a few laps during an overtaking maneuver on Vandoorne only to crumble at the end of the Grand Prix and eventually surrender his position back to Evans in the final laps.

Ultimately, no driver was able to hinder Stoffel Vandoorne’s forward march, as he claimed his second victory of the season in GP2. Mitch Evans might regret the time lost overtaking Alexander Rossi. He finished just over a second behind the day’s winner, in second place. Rossi thus completes the podium.

About fifteen seconds later, we find Indonesian Rio Haryanto in 4th position, confirming his good start to the season. He finishes ahead of Alex Lynn and Raffaele Marciello. The first Frenchman is Pierre Gasly, who only manages a modest 7th position, after making a mistake in the last few laps. He is followed by another French representative, Norman Nato, who will start tomorrow morning in Pole Position for Race 2, according to the reverse grid rule. Arthur Pic is another Frenchman rewarded with points (9th) while Richie Stanaway earns the point for 10th place.

In the overall Drivers’ standings, Vandoorne continues to widen the gap with a total of 72 points, compared to 45 points for his closest pursuer, Rio Haryanto. Alexander Rossi is in 3rd place with 38 points, followed by Mitch Evans with 28 points and the Frenchman Nathanel Berthon, with 10 points.

The 26 drivers have an appointment tomorrow morning at 10:30 for the sprint race of this Catalan weekend.