• GP2, Italian Grand Prix, Race 2

Valsecchi builds on championship lead with Monza win

Davide Valsecchi on his way to winning the GP2 sprint race © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Italian GP2 round

• Drivers:
• Fabio Leimer
• |
• Jolyon Palmer
• |
• Davide Valsecchi

• Teams:
• DAMS
• |
• iSport International
• |
• Racing Engineering

Davide Valsecchi won the GP2 sprint race at the Italian Grand Prix to further extend his lead in the drivers' championship with just two races remaining at the final round in Singapore.

Valsecchi made a lightning start to jump to the front of the pack ahead of the first chicane and then remained at the head of the field for the rest of the race. Behind him Fabio Leimer just held off Joylon Palmer for second into turn one while avoiding the rear of Valsecchi. Marcus Ericsson got on the grass and completely skipped the first series of corners, but was able to drop back into position without penalty.

The race then settled down with the front three looking fairly steady in their positions throughout. Behind them a fantastic battle for fourth raged between Stefano Coletti and Marcus Ericsson with the position changing hands several times. In the end Coletti came out on top with a fine passing move into the first chicane two laps from the end, but that didn't stop Ericsson attempting an all-or-nothing passing move at Ascari on the final lap.

Unfortunately for the iSport driver the move backfired and he conceded positions to both Johnny Cecotto and Max Chilton on the following straight. Julian Leal took the final point in eighth.

Championship challenger Luiz Razia finished 16th after starting from the back row as a result of his DNF in the feature race. He now faces a 23 point deficit to Valsecchi ahead of Singapore.

Valsecchi celebrates with some new friends © Sutton Images

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