gp2-luca-filippi-podium-magny-cours-piquet-car-di-grassi-photos

Luca Filippi claimed a strong third place in race two today in chaotic conditions at the Circuit Magny Cours, starting on slick tyres and with a dry set up despite the steady rain which fell until just before the start of the race and keeping his head while those around him went off to push back all the way through the field and take his first podium finish of the season.

While most of the grid started the race on wet weather tyres, the Italian decided the gamble was one that he had to take: "When I woke up and was putting bag in the car I saw it was raining and I was super happy, because I knew that these conditions would give me a chance to prove my potential is something better than what we've done before.

"I knew for sure it would be difficult in the beginning, and I was last or so and struggling with no pace because I had a full dry set up and it was very difficult to feel the car and find the limit, but I knew it was a super strategy even when everyone was overtaking me, so I was just waiting and taking no risks."

The gamble paid off: a drier line started to develop on the greasy track and the pace came, prompting his rivals to rush into the pits for dry tyres and handing Luca a golden opportunity to shine: "When I saw some Piquet car and di Grassi behind me I said okay, now is the time to push, and I just went away and was fastest until we had the yellow flag: I wanted to push again on the last lap but the team came on the radio and same calm down so I didn't try, but I think I was fastest."

With conditions now in his favour Luca powered his way back up the timesheets, following the Arden pairing of Yelmer Buurman and Sebastien Buemi who were enjoying that team's traditional advantage in mixed conditions. After setting a string of fastest laps the Italian was just pipped on the last lap for the bonus point, but had no regrets about his decision to gamble in the tricky conditions:

"I think the potential was good to do it, the car was good, and I am happy with what I have done: I had a good race with no mistakes and kept my concentration, and really pushed when it was the right time to push.

"Going home with a trophy is good, and the feeling I had on the podium is one I had almost forgotten about: it is really good, so I want to feel it again as soon as possible, and many times."

Race Two Results, Magny Cours

1. Sebastien Buemi

2. Yelmer Buurman

3. Luca Filippi

4. Lucas di Grassi

5. Bruno Senna

6. Mike Conway

See Luca Filippi on youtube: http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=8ANQYbtN3l8

www.lucafilippi.com

- ALPIMMAGINE Srl- photo GP2

Photos will be on automobilsport.com under PHOTOS - GP2 Series

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