Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

MotoGP points leader Bezzecchi banned from Czech GP for hitting marshal in sprint

MotoGP
Czech GP
MotoGP points leader Bezzecchi banned from Czech GP for hitting marshal in sprint

DTM Lausitzring 1: Mapelli takes fortunate maiden win for Lamborghini Temerario GT3

DTM
Lausitzring
DTM Lausitzring 1: Mapelli takes fortunate maiden win for Lamborghini Temerario GT3

The flaw Cadillac must fix to reach F1's midfield

Feature
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
The flaw Cadillac must fix to reach F1's midfield

MotoGP Czech GP: Bagnaia wins sprint as Bezzecchi crashes out

MotoGP
Czech GP
MotoGP Czech GP: Bagnaia wins sprint as Bezzecchi crashes out

DS Penske on the pace and in the points!

Formula E
Sanya ePrix
DS Penske on the pace and in the points!

Alex Marquez withdraws from MotoGP Czech Grand Prix

MotoGP
Czech GP
Alex Marquez withdraws from MotoGP Czech Grand Prix

How an F1 mechanics’ reunion recalled stories of working practices that would now send HR into meltdown

Feature
Formula 1
How an F1 mechanics’ reunion recalled stories of working practices that would now send HR into meltdown

MotoGP Czech GP: Ogura scorches to first pole position

MotoGP
Czech GP
MotoGP Czech GP: Ogura scorches to first pole position

Formula 1 came easier than GP2 for Rodolfo Gonzalez

Rodolfo Gonzalez claims to be better suited to grand prix machinery than GP2 cars after his second taste of Formula 1 with Team Lotus today

The Venezuelan, who has raced in GP2 since making his debut in the Asia Series in 2008, has started 55 races in the second-tier category and scored only four points.

But after enjoying his day of testing with Lotus, he insists that he is far more comfortable in F1 machinery after setting the tenth fastest time of the day, four seconds off the pace, with a time set on super soft rubber in the final hour of the day.

This underlines his desire to be with a leading team if he does return to GP2 in 2012. Among the outfits he is talking to are the Team Lotus-owned AirAsia outfit, who he regards as a top team.

"My pace was pretty okay," he told AUTOSPORT. "F1 came easier to me than GP2. I go used to it quicker, I learned it quicker and I was able to adapt my driving style throughout the day.

"I'd love to do F1 next year, but I don't think that's going to happen. I'd like to do GP2 again, but I don't want to make up the numbers.

"If I cannot be with a top three team, then there's no point doing it because in GP2 you need to have a strong team with a very strong structure and the whole package together.

Gonzalez also tested for Lotus in Abu Dhabi in 2010, but admitted that he was much happier with his performance this year.

"It was much better than last year," he said. "Obviously, I was a bit more familiar with all of the controls, so as soon as I left the pit-lane, I could concentrate on driving.

"I hadn't driven anything in a month-and-a-half, I didn't do any simulator time and I didn't even walk the track yesterday. I was surprised that within a couple of runs I was already getting to be quite quick. I was happy."

Previous article Jean-Eric Vergne downplays setting the quickest time in Abu Dhabi test
Next article Austin Grand Prix plunged into doubt after track construction is stopped in dispute over race contract

Top Comments