South African Adrian Zaugg put on his best performance yet in GP2 by qualifying fifth and finishing seventh in Sunday’s GP2 feature race, and going on to finish second in the sprint race – the Italian Trident Racing team’s first podium in two seasons.
Pastor Malnado of Venezuela took first place in the 38-lap feature, ahead of Mexican Sergio Perez and Frenchman Charles Pic – while Perez took top honours in the sprint, ahead of Brit Oliver Turvey and 23-year old Zaugg.
Zaugg is the first and only South African to compete in GP2, which was created in 2005 as the ultimate feeder series to Formula One (almost half the current grid have come through GP2), and as a curtain raiser event. Having represented South Africa for the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Zaugg now has his sights set on the pinnacle of motorsport amidst rumours that F1 could make a return to SA.
“I have read that Motorsport South Africa would support the hosting of an F1 event in the country under certain conditions and that one of these revolved around the opportunity for a South African to be on the grid. It is my objective to reach F1 and, while I was very proud to represent my country in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, nothing would make me prouder than to be the first South African on an F1 grid since 1979 world champion Jody Scheckter,” said Zaugg.
“From what I heard from some influential people in F1 at Hockenheim this weekend, there is serious discussion about having an F1 round in South Africa. I hope this happens and I hope it can be done in such a way that the development of motor sport in the country can benefit, to the advantage of all of its people.”
GP2 is contested by 24 drivers in 12 teams in cars similar to those in F1. The single-make formula features a Dallara chassis and a Renault 4,0-litre V8 engine that develops in excess of 450 kW at 10 000 r/min and can propel the car to a top speed of 328 km/h and from 0 to 200 km/h in 6,6 seconds (0 to 100 km/h in 2,9 seconds).
The next round of the GP2 championship will support the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring on August 1.