Monza

Two weeks after winning its second GP3 Series teams' title, Lotus ART doubled down in the drivers' championship, and remains undefeated in the category, thanks to the title won by Valtteri Bottas this weekend at the Autrodromo Nazionale di Monza. Valtteri's fourth win, coming in the first race, enabled him to secure the title before the finale. James Calado finished the race and the championship in 2nd place. Richie Stanaway continued his apprenticeship in the GP3 series with some solid performances in the practice sessions that were not rewarded at race time. Richie won several duels against more experienced drivers, including some race winners, but he was penalized for having caused a collision and had a flat tyre on Sunday. Lotus ART wraps up its 2011 GP3 Series season with the best points total At Monza, and looks confidently toward the future.

Valtteri Bottas: "Champion, it feels so good! It was difficult to think about that in the middle of the season when we were 10thin the championship after a tough start, but we never lost our confidence and this title, combined with the teams' title is a testimony to the hard work and effort by Lotus ART. We can be proud because we brilliantly turned the season around. On a personal level, I'm genuinely happy to be a champion once again after two difficult seasons. I learned my lessons and in the end I'm sure we will be able to build on this in the future.

Arriving in Monza, the gap between me and James was just 5 points and I knew there was no room for mistakes. We were both unlucky in qualifying because we hit traffic with our second set of tyres but on one hand we saved our tyres in free practice 2, and on the other hand, being in the first position is certainly not the best place to be in Monza where the slipstream is so important. James put pressure on me in the last lap and he did a great job as always, but I knew that if I could push hard and open a gap to break his slipstream, the title was at the end of the road. In the second race, coming into Ascari's chicane, the driver ahead of me braked much earlier than what I expected and I had to cover from James who was on the outside. I hit Daly, it was my fault and I apologize to him. I would have preferred to end the season on a win but that's how racing goes and it did not change anything for the championship. I would like thank my finish sponsors, Wihuri and Kemppi, which support me from a couple of years and, of course, Williams and my management."

James Calado: "Runner-up... it does not have such a bad ring to it for my first season in the series. I knew I had to beat Valtteri and to do so the pole position would have been ideal but it's down to luck in Monza and I was not at the right place at the right time, I did not get a good tow and I started the first race from P6. Everything went really well in the race and the only problem I had has a name: Valtteri. He did a fantastic job and we followed each other on our way to the lead. I could not get close enough to get past him in the last lap but I have nothing to regret. It's great to secure both championships and to do a 1-2 in the drivers' championship. All this would not have been possible without the incredible effort Lotus ART put in and I want to thank each and every member of the team who deserved its success. There was not much at play in the second race and I wanted to offer the team one last win. Unfortunately I was a bit optimistic in the first turn and I collided with Evans."

Richie Stanaway: "The track was a great place to race, and the races were both really exciting with all of the slipstreaming involved. Unfortunately we didn't get a clear lap in during qualifying and i wasn't able to show my potential, and we spent both of the races charging from the rear of the grid. In race one I got up to 10th from 23rd but then received a 10 place grid penalty for race 2 for touching another car while coming through. in race 2 starting from 20th i got up to 9th by lap 3 and had lots of car speed, after getting up to 7th i touched with another car and got a punctured tyre which sadly put an end to what could have been a good race after i had to pit to change my tyres. but regardless of the results, doing these last 2 GP3 races has been an incredible experience for me and I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity to do it."

Frederic Vasseur: "Here comes the sun! After a difficult start to the season, Lotus ART managed to get it dialed in and keep our hold on both titles thanks to the hard work of all our team members. After the rain in the last few races, the team showed that it could be just as competitive in the heat, and it was a great satisfaction, because the Monza weekend showed that we are fast under any circumstance. Valtteri and James both deserved the title but there can be only one champion. We are very proud to have worked with both of them. Richie had an exceptional start in a complex championship, and he leaves no doubt that he will be one of the young talents to keep an eye on in the years to come."