Hanley sets pace on first day at Paul Ricard

Ben Hanley ended up at the top of the time sheet at Paul Ricard on the first day of testing this week with a lap of 1:12.652. In the wake of a new area in the GP2 history, the new car has shown excellent reliability.

Published: Thursday February 28, 2008

Today saw the first test session of the 2008 GP2 Main Series in Le Castellet, France. All 13 teams set up the new GP2 car for its first spin. Despite some few minor incidents, the new car proved to be both competitive and reliable from the start. 

Ben Hanley at the wheel of his Barwa International Campos Team set the pace. Though credited with the fastest lap time, Pastor Maldonado's times were deleted due to an illegal rear wing configuration. 

Bruno Michel, GP2 Organiser, commented: "This has been a great first test session for the 2008 GP2 new car today. Its reliability is the achievement of exceptional work from our partners Renault and Bridgestone as well as our official suppliers Dallara and Mecachrome. Seeing the 26 cars perform so well today gives us high hopes for the season to come. We're really looking forward to the first races."

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• 26/04 BUEMI EARNS TWO POINTS… AND A FRONT-ROW START
• 25/04 TOUGH BAPTISM FOR TRUST TEAM ARDEN
• 12/04 BUEMI 2ND AND CROWNED VICE CHAMPION
• 11/04 DOUBLE PODIUM SUCCESS FOR TRUST TEAM ARDEN
• 11/04 GOOD QUALIFICATION FOR TTA DRIVERS IN DUBAI
• 06/04 BUEMI 2ND IN SPRINTRACE BAHREIN

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