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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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OVERALL IFM CHAMPIONSHIP POSITION: 4th (52 points) ROOKIES CHAMPIONSHIP: 1st (110 points)
The Formula Master series features Tatuus built cars with a Honda 2 liter engine developing over 250 H.P. All Formula Master races are shown live on Eurosport reaching over 139 million homes and 2.5 million hotel rooms. More information on Formula Master can be found at; www.formulamaster.net.
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mail your news to editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk GP2 Asia Rossi (USA) Impressive in Abu Dhabi
“I need to thank Tiago and Jose, the owners of Ocean Racing for giving me my first shot in the GP2 formula,” Rossi commented. ”It was good to have strong race finishes after we struggled to find pace and grip in qualifying. We were very close to a podium in each of the races, which would have been perfect, but I’m satisfied as we overcame a lot. I felt great in my first 75 minute feature race, making no mistakes. Physically, I was prepared and could have raced another stint if needed.” The twelve GP2 teams completed two days of testing at Yas Marina Circuit ahead of the race. During these tests, Alexander and Ocean suffered traction problems exiting the slow corners. These issues continued into the race weekend, although they weren’t as pronounced once the Formula One cars put their own rubber on the tarmac, this adding a new challenge. GP2 is the number one feeder series to Formula 1 and arguably the most competitive. For Abu Dhabi, the top twenty qualifiers on the grid were separated by just 0.9 of a second, with Alexander lining up in 13th, 0.8 seconds, off pole. Alexander was confident in making progress in the 33-lap race. “I made a great start from the clean side of the grid,” says Alexander. “I was eighth by the end of lap one and was being held up by the two cars ahead of me, as a team we decided to pit early to gain track position. This was my first career scheduled pit stop during a race. It went perfect, no problems at all. From there, I was on a charge to overtake several cars to finish the race in 4th.” With the reverse grid format of race two, Alexander started from fifth place. Again, he made a fantastic get-away to be third by the first corner, which is where he stayed for the majority of the 22-lap event. However, his Dallara suffered from increasing amounts of understeer as the race progressed and he was unable to stop the much quicker iSport cars of Valsecchi and Oliver Turvey passing him in the closing lap to finish 5th. “There was nothing I could do about the ISport cars,” says Alexander. “I defended as best I could, but they had incredible pace all weekend and did an outstanding job. I couldn’t stop them, they just dragged past me on each of the two long straights.” Alexander’s impressive showings were received well in the Formula One paddock. Frank Williams (boss of Williams F1) and Mario Theissen (BMW’s motorsport director) and Peter Windsor (sporting director of USF1) all commented on his pace and mistake-free performances, while Ocean Racing Technology boss Tiago Monteiro was kept up to speed from afar. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t be in Abu Dhabi because I was racing in Japan,” says Tiago. “However, I’ve had the low-down from the engineers, who tell me that Alexander raced very well. I’m very excited about him and hope we can work together again in the future.” Alexander has a GP2 test coming up later this month at Paul Ricard, prior to his BMW-Sauber F1 test at Jerez from 01-03 December. “My career continues to offer me new opportunities as they are earned”, says Alexander. “I have worked very hard for the possibility of testing an F1 car and I am very appreciative. It is my intention to make the most of this opportunity and take nothing for granted.” pic GP2 Series photographer – Alastair Staley
International Formula Master Series Rossi Wins at Imola – Clinches Rookie Title
“My first season racing in Europe was something that I will never forget,” Alexander commented. “I came into the championship without any winter testing as well as a team change mid season, which caused some high moments, but just as many low moments throughout the year. However, what I learned and was able to experience is something that I will remember for the rest of my motorsport career. On top of this, finishing off the season with the rookie title and win number three was very rewarding and it just made me realize that one can never stop pushing in and out of the car even if the results are not always there.” After crossing the line with what he believed was a 6th place qualifying effort, Alexander was shocked to learn that his on track performance was being reviewed. Later, he would be informed that he was to be given a questionable five-place grid penalty for using “too much road” on the exit of the famous corner Acque Minerali,thereby not “respecting the track boundaries.” Not allowing this to dissuade his focus,Alexander was motivated as he clawed his way back to the top of the order for the remainder of the weekend. “I was obviously not satisfied with qualifying 6th, as the potential for the front row was there; however, we lost valuable time during my pit stop for the 2nd set of new tires,” Alexander said. “Additionally the stewards imposed a new rule immediately before qualifying, which was meant to prevent drivers from running four wheels over the white line on exit of Acque Minerali. I ran over the line and do not dispute that, but what was frustrated at the time given the fact that a large percentage of the field did the same thing. It is the quickest way through that corner and only myself and Josef Kral were penalized.” As a result of the penalty, Alexander was relegated to 11th place on the grid for race one. This setback was certainly behind him as he drove a brilliantly aggressive race, overtaking six cars to finish 5th. Alexander lined up fourth on the grid for race two. He had a brilliant start to the race overtaking two positions and was in second behind team-mate Erik Janis by the exit of Turn 1. For the next 11 laps, Alexander targeted a move for the lead but had to patiently wait for the right opportunity while withstanding pressure from Josef Kral in third place. Alexander overtook the lead on lap 12 with an amazing move to the inside entering the 2nd chicane Villeneuve. Once free from Janis, Alexander was immediately able to stretch a gap and received the chequered flag with a 1.7 second advantage ahead of Kral 2nd, Afanasiev 3rd and Janis 4th. “Sunday’s race win was probably Alexander’s best drive of the season,” says ISR team principal Igor Salaquarda. “He was under pressure for a long time, but he didn’t make a single mistake for the whole race. It was a very good way for him to end the season because it proved what a good driver he is.” While Imola was the final event of the International Formula Master 2009 Championship, Alexander has a commitment to participate in the GP2 Main Series Collective Tests at Jerez, Spain, October 6-8th and Paul Ricard, France, November 10-12th. Rossi will use these tests to better prepare for his Formula One test with BMW Sauber also in Jerez, December 1st - 3rd. Rossi is currently residing in Marina di Pietrasanta, Italy where he trains daily with Beppe Sebastiani, preparing for the tests mentioned above and the 2010 season. Rossi will have short holiday in December when he will come home to California. “I am looking forward to my schedule for the next couple of months as the opportunities that have presented themselves are incredible,” Alexander commented. “I will be pushing very hard to do a good job in both the GP2 tests as well as the Formula One test. My fitness program is being increased all the time and I am very confident that I will be ready to maximize my potential in cars of such calibre.” pic by Dawn Rossi – Team Rossi Motorsports Rossi 4th in Germany
“The weekend started well,” says Alexander. “I was second quickest in the opening practice session on heavy fuel and used tires, so I was confident to be competitive in qualifying and the race. Qualifying is always important in racing, especially at Oschersleben, it is quite narrow and twisty making it difficult to overtake. It reminds me of a big go-kart track.” Rossi’s ISR Racing Team improved their cars performance over curbs, which there were many at Oscherslaben, and the results were positive. Alexander qualified third, 0.3s shy of pole position. In qualifying Rossi stayed out additional laps than anticipated and in closing laps of the session, when lightest on fuel his Tattus / Honda misfired from lack of fuel pressure. “I really wanted pole position,” says Alexander, “and I thought this strategy was a risk worth taking. Unfortunately, we were just a bit too low on fuel and the engine misfired through three corners on my final and fastest lap. Without that, I think we had pole. The whole ISR team gave me a great race car all weekend, I was very happy with it.” From third on the grid, Alexander made a great start in race one to challenge Fabio Leimer for the lead at Turn 1. Rossi looking to overtake the lead, he opened up radius which allowed Sergey Afanasiev and Erik Janis to pass, dropping Alexander to fourth place. “In 49 laps of racing during the weekend the end result could have been better, but some weekends just go that way,” says Alexander. “There were just two overtaking moves during both Formula Master races, that is how difficult it was to pass at Oschersleben. I was very happy with my speed and sector times in traffic, however overtaking is another story unless the driver in front make a mistake. Both Erik and Sergey drove great”. The reverse grid for race two saw Alexander start from fifth place on the grid and, once again, he made a clean get-away. He was pushed onto the grass at the exit of Turn 2 by Afanasiev and dropped back to seventh, which once again was the finishing order ofthe 21 lap race. “I’m not upset with Sergey for putting me out on the grass,” says Alexander, “He did the right thing and gave me no room. I was vulnerable on the outside, but I was not about to give him the corner, that’s racing. My only regret from the weekend is that I didn’t settle for second place at the start of race one, instead of challenging Leimer for the lead at Turn 1 and coming off second-best. Hindsight a great thing and I have learned a lot about Oschersleben.” Alexander now lies fifth in the overall championship table, 14 points away from Afanasiev in second place. With only two races remaining it is still possible to take second in the overall championship and the rookie title. “I will be pushing in Imola to make it happen and look forward to challenge,” Rossi commented. Germany behind him, Alexander is already focused on tasks ahead, leaving for Italy immediately after race to prepare with his trainer Beppe Sebastiani. Alexander is training 5-6 days a week preparing for final International Formula Master rounds in Imola, fall testing plans and F1 test with BMW / Sauber, December 1 – 3rd. “My training with Beppe is very rigorous,” says Alexander. “I want to be as physically prepared as possible for my BMW Sauber Formula One test at the beginning of December, I am leaving no stone unturned.”
Rossi never challenged in Spa Win
Practice: 2nd - Qualifying: 2nd - Race 1: 5th - Race 2: 1st “After Saturday’s turn 1 incident at the start it was great to have a clean getaway Sunday and take the win”, Rossi said. “With the safety car circulating the field the first few laps due to an incident with Sims and Snooks, I had to work at maintaining temperature in the tires and brakes. This enabled me to make a good re-start and take the lead from Pal Varhaug exiting ‘Eau Rouge’. ISR Racing gave me a perfect car this weekend and I owe a big thanks to the whole crew.” Rossi controlled the pace from the front with some late pressure from championship leader Fabio Leimer, holding a 1 second margin at the end. It was a fitting end to a weekend in which Alexander had been one of the fastest drivers in the field. He set the second fastest time in practice and qualifying, but was denied a podium finish in race one when contact was made by Josef Kral in a turn 1 incident. Turn 1 incident in Round 11 caused Rossi to drop to seventh at start. However he demonstrated determination and car control, despite a damaged floor and aerodynamics. His damaged car was not optimum in sector two which is a series high speed left hand corners. Nevertheless he managed to overtake two cars and come home in fifth place. Alexander’s once again proved his speed and tenacity this weekend to BMW Motorsport director, Dr. Mario Theissen, whom Alexander met after race 1 in the Formula BMW Members Lounge. “The most important thing is to be quick, and Alexander is that,” said Dr.Theissen. “Incidents at Turn 1 happen to the best drivers.” At Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgium Grand Prix this past weekend, Dr. Theissen took the opportunity to present Alexander with his F1 Test suit that will be worn during his Formula One test at Circuit Jerez, December 1 -3rd. “I’ve been looking forward to the F1 test with BMW since winning the world finals last December,” said Alexander. “My responsibility and preparations for the test are being taken very seriously, to ensure the best results.” Prior to the F1 test with BMW, four rounds still remain in International Formula Master Championship. Rounds 13 and 14 are next weekend in Oschersleben, Germany, September 4-6th, supporting World Touring Car Championship. Alexander has tested at the 2.28-mile circuit in a Formula Renault. “Oschersleben is an interesting track,” commented Alexander, “but not my favorite circuit. I’ve never raced there before, only tested and believe qualifying will be extremely important as it looks very difficult to overtake.”
Rossi 3rd in Budapest
This past weekend rounds 9 and 10 of International Formula Master Series were held at the Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary. This was the first of two opportunities on the IFM calendar for drivers to compete in front of the F1 team bosses and fans. The next opportunity at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgium Grand Prix in August. With the series standard Friday practice session eliminated by Formula One due to scheduling constraints, everyone headed straight into qualifying on Friday evening. Alexander and ISR Racing secured a fourth position on the grid despite brake issues the plagued the session. “I was disappointed after the session,” says Alexander. “We have been struggling with rear brake problems since the beginning of our weekend in Brands Hatch and have continued to experience problems thus far in Hungary. The car and I had the pace for pole position, but we were not able to capitalize on this as we had to bleed the brake system during qualifying. Hopefully, we can resolve this issue in time for tomorrow’s race so that we may challenge for the victory.” While the braking problems were solved in time for Sunday’s race, a front wing failure on lap 14 forced him to register his first retirement of the year. "I’m pleased that we solved the brake problems,” said ISR team boss Igor Salaquarda, “but I’m very angry about the front wing failure because a part like that shouldn’t fail. I have informed Formula Master that I am going to make my own bolts for the front wing in time for the next race. As for Alexander’s performance, he drove very well this weekend and particularly in race one. He impresses me more each weekend and I hope he can keep this forward momentum going.”
Alexander drove a great opening lap to overtake Earl Bamber in third place, after which he ran in a train of cars behind eventual race winner Josef Kral. Around lap 6 of the race his rear dampener failed, forcing him to back off, but he was far enough ahead of fourth-placed Alexander Sims not to lose a position. “This podium is definitely filled with mixed emotions,” said Alexander after the race. “For sure, it is nice to be on the podium at a Formula One event. I was able to move into P3 at the start and ran with the lead duo for the first six laps or so until my left rear dampener failed in turn 9. I immediately had to begin to go on the defensive as I could no longer keep the pace of Kral and Leimer. Fortunately, I was able to keep my third position, but once again I know that the team gave me a car that was good enough for a stronger finish.”
RACE TWO: 17 laps / Grid 6, Finish DNF Alexander made a good start from the dirty side of the grid, gaining one position off the line. He then showed consistent pace in the middle part of the race, overtaking race one winner Josef Kral on lap 8, before having to retire when the front wing fell off. “I was able to get off to a good start and moved into fifth during the opening lap,” reported Rossi. “Immediately the top five cars began to break away from the rest of the field, which made it easier for me to just focus on getting around Kral. I was able to do so about eight laps into the race, but that was as far as I could go as my front wing loosened over the next couple laps and eventually fell off under braking to turn 10. I do not understand how a front wing just fails when there is no contact. Right now I am focusing on Spa and knowing that the team and I can move on and establish a pace to be at the top.” There is now a five-week break in the International Formula Master calendar, prior to the next race at Spa-Francorchamps, where the series will support the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix. “We had a winning pace at Spa when we tested there in June,” says Alexander. “I am confident with the circuit and now with the brakes sorted there is no reason why we should not be on top. This is important in front of F1 teams..”
Rossi 2nd at Brands Hatch
As was the case at Brno three weeks ago, qualifying was a bit of a lottery due to rain. A heavy shower prior to the start meant that the track was drying throughout the 30-minute session and wet tyre management became crucial to achieving a good grid position. Alexander finished in seventh position, despite being unable to communicate with his race engineer due to a radio malfunction. “We haven’t been able to have a proper qualifying session at Brno or Brands Hatch due to the rain,” says Alexander. “It’s been a disappointment, but I know that we have the pace and just need to put it all together in qualifying. I am sure we can be competitive for pole positions.” RACE ONE: 28 laps - Grid 7, Finish 7 - With the weather clearing for Saturday’s race, Alexander and the team went back to the softer, dry-weather set-up that had landed them P3 in the second official practice. However, a few changes led to some unexpected results and a slight brake problem in the closing laps of the race left Rossi unable to advance up the grid. “We tried several new things on the car,” says Alexander, “although this is always a risk when going immediately into a race without a chance to determine for sure whether it will be a positive or negative change. Before the race, we had to put a new floor on the car and unfortunately this ran the car 8mm closer to the ground and we had a lot of problems with the car bottoming. This caused fairly drastic oversteer throughout the entire race, which is a difficult side-effect to handle on a high speed track such as Brands Hatch.” RACE TWO: 21 laps -Grid 2, Finish 2 - Alexander’s start of Sunday’s race, marking the 40th in the history of the IFM series, saw a loss of position in Turn 1 to ISR team-make Erik Janis as Alexander had too much wheelspin.Alexander was much faster, however, and he passed Janis into Turn 8 midway through lap 4 to regain second position. At this time, race leader Alessandro Kouzkin, had established a 4 second lead which Alexander reduced to just 0.2 seconds by lap 16. Unfortunately, a brake problem that had occurred in Saturday’s race represented itself and Rossi knew that second place points were not worth risking. “Following the two World Touring Car races,” says Alexander, “I anticipated that the track would have more grip away from the line. By the time I eventually got some traction, I couldn’t stop Erik from passing me into Turn 1 and I spent the early laps trying to pressure him into a mistake. This happened at Turn 8, where he ran wide, and I could then set about chasing race leader Kouzkin. I was able to close the gap, but I couldn’t pass Alessandro because we continued to have braking difficulties with the rear system losing pressure which was causing my brake pedal to go to the floor.” “Alexander is a very good driver,” says ISR team Principal Igor Salaquarda. “His inexperience showed during qualifying at Brands Hatch because he didn’t manage his tyres as well as the drivers in front of him on the grid, but he’s fast. He will win more races this year and I think he can go very well at the Hungaroring.” Rossi tested at the track prior to the start of the season; however this will be the first time at the Hungaroring in an ISR prepared car.
Rossi Scores First Win in IFM
Alexander leapfrogged ahead of pole-sitter Nicolas Maulini at the start and then disappeared up the road, setting the fastest lap of the race on lap four. “I have not won since Mexico City last December, it feels great to win again,” said Alexander. “Everything went very smoothly and it was nice to create a little bit of history by becoming the first American to win in Formula Masters. ISR is very capable with 3 years experience with the IFM car. Our speed was there all weekend in the wet and dry, we are planning on many morevictories before the year is out.” Rossi’s victory was also ISR’s maiden win in the series, much to the joy of team principal, Igor Salaquarda. “We have been trying to win a race for three years,” Salaquarda said. “So I’m very happy to have finally achieved it. Alexander has made quite an impact on our team. He is a very good driver and I find it very hard to remember that he’s only 17 years old.” RACE ONE: 19 laps Grid 8, Finish 7 After setting the fastest time in the second wet practice session on Friday. On top much of Saturday’s qualifying, a misjudgment of drying conditions and tire choices during resulted inAlexander slipping down the order in the final few moments of the thirty minute session leaving his best time eighth overall. The conditions were dry prior to the start of the race; although, the threat of rain was always present leading Alexander and the team to run a semi-wet set-up on the #16 car. With the track staying dry Rossi battled through the understeer prevalent throughout the race and came home in seventh place. Alexander Rossi “Given the rain clouds overhead and the awful weather that we’d had until that point in the weekend, we felt that we had no option other than to put a softer set-up on the car. When the rain didn’t materialize, I was left with a badly understeering car and that made it hard to move up the field. I made a really good start, which was encouraging after the clutch problems that I experienced in Valencia. Unfortunately I was not able to capitalize on my start because I got boxed in on the run to turn one, but it gave me plenty of confidence for the start of race two,” RACE TWO: 19 laps Grid 2, Finish 1st, Fastest Lap The key to Alexander’s victory was his start. He jumped ahead of Maulini on the run to the first corner and never looked back. Unlike the first race, ISR went to a full dry set-up which allowed Alexander to immediately open up a gap, setting the fastest lap of the race on lap four, enabling him to deliver his true abilities at ISR Racing. His closest challenger, Josef Kral, was forced to slow in the middle of the race with a broken front wing element, which allowed Alexander to ease his pace and simply bring his car home to the finish.
Rossi has brutal weekend in Spain
This was the series’ first event of the year on a permanent racetrack, following the season opener around the streets of Pau two weeks ago. For Rossi, though, it was anything but one to forget. Both Rossi and his team, Hitech Junior, had missed the pre-season test session at the track, which placed him at a big disadvantage to his main championship rivals.Technical set up issues found the team struggling for pace with the Tattus / Honda in free practice. By qualifying, Rossi and the team had made improvements enabling Rossi to qualify sixth at a 1:28.50. RACE ONE: 25 laps - Grid 6, Finish 7 Unfortunately, clutch problems plagued both of Rossi’s race starts. In race one the clutch seizure caused the car to creep forward, Alexander to press the brake and subsequently lose six positions on the run to the first corner. At Turn 1, Alexander was in the mid-grid melee and could not avoid contact with the spinning car of Earl Bamber. His right front wing endplate and upper wing element were ripped off in the chaos and from this point on his car suffered from a lack of front-end grip. This not only affected its stability under braking, it also lost down force and 15kph to 18kph through the high-speed corners. ALEXANDER ROSSI “In race 1, I went into the race expecting to finish on the podium because I only had to pass three cars”, Rossi commented. “I proved at Pau how good my car was in traffic. It was just not my race with the clutch seizure and getting caught up in the mess that happened in front of me in Turn1.” “At the start I did nothing different, until the car started driving forward while the clutch was fully engaged. I didn’t want to get a ‘jump start’ penalty, so I put my foot on the brake and began my start procedure again and, as a result, the other cars swamped me.” “After the turn 1 incident damaging the down force of the car, the lack of grip really affected the high-speed corners compromising my overall lap time and I had a real battle to get the car home. My goal was to finish at least 8th or better for a decent grid position for race 2”, Rossi added. RACE TWO: 19 laps - Grid 2, Finish 12, Having discussed tire management concerns, the 17-year-old Californian, and his engineering crew decided to make some radical set-up changes in preparation for race two. Alexander lined up in second place on the grid, alongside Swiss driver Nicolas Maulini, butagain was not able to maximize his start when the new clutch position slowed his launch. Alexander lost one position at the start and battled Norwegian driver Pal Varhaug. The pair eventually made slight contact at the final corner of the opening lap, Rossi losing out on the transaction. Rossi continued after spinning and losing 35 seconds to the rest of the field. Never backing down, he fought back from being half a lap behind the pack in 16th to finish 12th. ALEXANDER ROSSI “I was very confident with the cooler temps that I would have a good race from the front rowand thought we could win if the car had pace for the whole 19 laps”, Rossi said. “At the launch I was caught out by the new clutch biting point. It had changed from where it had been at my practice start and I was overtaken for the drag down to Turn 1 losing a position.” “As for the incident on the opening lap with Varhaug, it was just one of those things; a racing incident. He raced me hard and fair, I was on the inside he was on the outside and we touched. Unfortunately, I came out worse and spun. That happens, for many reasons it just was not my weekend.” “After two weekends though it has become clear we need to find pace in the warmer temperatures, maximizing tire wear and performance. This takes time as team Hitech is new to IFM and we are trying to compete with teams that have 3 years development of the car”, Rossi concluded.
Pau, France, May 18, 2009 Rossi finishes 4th in a French street fight for the opening rounds of IFM
Rossi finished 4th in Round 2 Sunday through the streets of Pau after starting from 10th for the 24 lap sprint. From the start Rossi had pace setting the 3rd quickest lap as he gained positions while navigating the narrow streets of Pau. "I thought the team progressed fantastically well and Alexander was superb all weekend,” David Hayle commented– Hi Tech Junior Team owner. “For our first race meeting in IFM I am happy with 4th, we will only be stronger from here.” On Saturday, for the Round 1 feature race Rossi finished 10th after qualifying 8th. HiTech and Rossi struggled with car balance which eluded them when temperatures rose and excessive tire wear became problematic for the 37 lap event. Fighting lack of grip, Rossi battled hard to hold position working with what he had. On lap 32, he came under pressure from IFM veteran, Marcello Pulglisi. While attempting to overtake Rossi, Pulglisi made contact ending his race while Rossi went on to hold 10th position in the final laps despite damaged suspension. “Alexander learned the circuit very quickly. He remained confident, poised and focused all weekend,” Bruno Besson commented, (Alexander’s Driver Coach and previous Pau Race Winner). “Pau is a quite challenging street course, Alexander got 100% out of his equipment and pushed every lap. His race execution was perfect.” As Rossi is determined to be the next American in F1, racing in Europe and developing the IFM car with Hi Tech Junior is another important attribute for Rossi to have as he positions himself toward the highest levels of Grand Prix Racing. Rossi will test with the BMW / Sauber F1 team this fall after winning the FBMW World Finals in 2008. “As a driver I cannot say I’ll ever be satisfied with 4th but I did enjoy the competition and working through the pack and fighting for positions,” Rossi said. “Having the season opener on the streets of Pau was a welcomed challenge. Although we experienced troubles in Round 1, I believe we had a car to win in Round 2 had we had a little better starting position on the grid. The whole Hitech team made big strides this weekend on car development especially after the first race where we struggled with tire degradation. Going into Sunday, we made some fairly radical changes in an effort to get some points for the weekend and it was a great reward to be able to gain so many positions on track and to gain championship points as well.”
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Alexander
Rossi made an impressive start to his GP2 career this past weekend in
Abu Dhabi.The young American, driving for Ocean Racing Technology,
secured points in each of the opening rounds of the GP2 Asia Series. On
Saturday, Alexander finished 4th in the 33 lap, 180 kilometer feature
race at the Yas Marina circuit, and on Sunday’s 22 lap sprint race, he
finished 5th.
Five
days after winning a Formula One support race at Spa-Francorchamps,
Alexander Rossi was back on-track at Oscherslaben for rounds 13 and 14
of the International Formula Masters series. The 17-year-old from Nevada
City, California, had never previously raced at the 2.28-mile track in
Northern Germany. 
Magdeburg
Alexander
Rossi finishes 3rd in Round 9 of International Formula Master Series
main race after qualifying in 4th. 
RACE
ONE: 17 laps / Grid 4, Finish 3
Alexander
Rossi scored a second place finish in the International Formula Masters
series at Brands Hatch, Sunday’s race. Alexander’s second trip to the
podium in two race weekends was bittersweet with the news that Henry
Surtees, a driver in the Formula 2 series, had been severely injured in
the race taking place about 3 hours earlier. Henry, at 18 years of age,
died from those injuries and we would like to express our deepest
condolences to the entire Surtees family.
Alexander
Rossi, having just joined ISR Racing, made history over the weekend when
he became the first American to win an International Formula Master
race. The 17-year-old from Nevada City, California, dominated race two
at Brno in the Czech Republic to elevate himself to fifth place in the
championship standings.
Rounds
three and four of the International Formula Masters Championship took
place at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia, Spain this past weekend.
Alexander Rossi finished round three in 7th position and round four in
12th position.
Alexander
Rossi, the 17 year old American driver, grabbed attention in France this
past weekend for his rookie European debut in the International Formula
Master series at Pau in France. Rossi, recently signed with the Hitech
Junior Team from Silverstone who were also making their inaugural debut
in the IFM Series. They mentioned a tremendous amount of data was gained
in Pau and young Rossi is instrumental to their IFM program.