Daniel Abt took 2nd place in today's race 2 of the GP3 Series in Valencia.

Aaro Vainio added some more points to his total after finishing 7th.

Conor Daly had to retire after a contact during the first lap.

Lotus GP had a good overall result in the first race of the GP3 Series in Valencia.

Aaro Vainio climbed on the second step of the podium while he started 3rd.

Daniel Abt put some good defensive moves to keep his 6th place.

Conor Daly ended 11th after starting 16th and having received a penalty for jump start.

Lotus GP put all its cars in the Top 10 during the GP3 qualifying session.

Aaro Vainio fought for the pole position during the whole session but ultimately ended 3rd, less than a tenth off the top spot.

Conor Daly did the 7th fastest lap but he will be at the back of the grid following his 10 place grid penalty.

Daniel Abt ended 10th and will start 9th as Daly will move back.

The race will start at 17h20.

Lotus GP took a good start to its Valencia week-end having two out of its three cars at the top of the time sheet.

Aaro Vainio signed the best time followed by teammate Conor Daly. However, the american took a 10 place grid penalty for Race 1 following his accident in Monaco.

Daniel Abt couldn't do better than 13th this morning but he remains confident for the week-end.

GP3’s debut at the famous twisty Monaco street circuit was a huge success for the Lotus GP team with two podium finishes from two races, including a win in race one, courtesy of Aaro Vainio. This means they have had a car on the podium in every race so far this season.

After taking his maiden pole position in the series, a session that was cut into two groups just like GP2, with a stunning lap that was almost a second faster than second placed ma Aaro went one step better by winning taking his debut GP3 career win at the prestigious event, a perfect start to the history making weekend. He finished it off with a seventh placed finish in the shortened action packed race two to leave the Principality at the top of the championship with 54 points.

Meanwhile, the season race two was cut short was due to the fence being damaged too much after Aaro’s teammate, Conor Daly, had the biggest crash of his motor racing career. Earlier in the race Conor touched the rear of another car and while he continued on after that, he then hit the rear of his opponent’s car, who no longer had a rear wing and was extremely slow. Despite this, he moved across the track several times defend his position and Conor had nowhere to go and hit him exiting the tunnel. This added to his woes from race one, where, starting from row four on the grid he was deemed to have made a jump start, invoking a drive through penalty. But despite his early getaway he didn’t get far as his Lotus actually stalled on the grid, the penalty adding insult to injury and he finished last, despite showing great race pace.

The third member of the team, Daniel Abt, didn’t have a very good qualifying session, and also started race one from the fourth of the grid. He had a brilliant drive to finish sixth after winning a superb fight with Antonio Felix Da Costa who was trying everything in his power to outmanoeuvre him. This meant he started third on the grid in race two, the perfect position to secure the teams second podium finish of the weekend and the first of his GP3 career.

Aaro Vaino sits first in the championship on 54 points with Conor Daly fifth on 23 and Daniel Abt seventh on 22. The team sits in first int eh teams championship with 99 points, 16 ahead of second place.

Daniel Abt:

My qualifying was definitely not a source of satisfaction and I have to work on this part of the weekend. I had a good start in race 1, but after that not much happened as it is really hard to overtake here. Once in 6^th position I made sure I kept it and defended from da Costa’s attack because I knew it would give me the opportunity to start from the top 3 on Saturday for the reverse grid race. The second race didn’t last long but anyway, it was all about the start and I think mine was good. Unfortunately the guys ahead of me did a good job too and I kept third. I am really happy to get my first podium in GP3, especially in Monaco which is my favourite track. In all honesty, I don’t think we had the start to the season we were expecting but the team is great, I feel confident and we must build on this podium to be sure to finish higher in the next races.

Conor Daly:

It was definitely the biggest crash I have ever had. I feel bad for the team because the car they gave me was just mega and I was having a lot of fun, overtaking on this track is such a challenge, and of course the track itself is already an incredible challenge. But I can’t help it when people do stupid moves and Monaco did not land the results we should have got, partly because of me when I jump started the first race and suffered a drive through penalty. How ironic, after a slight move on the grid I could not getaway and lost a lot of positions already. Anyway, this is past, time to move on and to focus on the next round.

Aaro Vainio:

To achieve pole and to win in Monaco is so amazing. I was very comfortable in practice and qualifying was sensational thanks to the car Lotus prepared. Sometimes you put everything together and that was the case in qualifying then in the race. I had a great start and managed to open a gap in the first few laps and then I was controlling the race. It is my first ever win in singleseater and it feels great. I wanted to leave Monaco leading the points and that’s what we achieved. But the season is long, I can’t wait for the next challenge on another street track, bring Valencia on!

Frédéric Vasseur:

On one hand there is the great satisfaction of securing a second win and to put a car on the podium at each race so far, Aaro was outstanding all weekend long, Daniel and Conor were on par but did not get the best out of the qualifying session. On the other hand, there was this scary crash that should have never happened. Conor was so much faster than Suranovich who was slowing the pack 7 seconds per lap. But he just would not get out of the way, moved two or three times under the tunnel and Conor had nowhere to go. This is a lucky escape in the end because Conor is safe but I hope this is a lesson everyone will learn, teams, drivers and race direction, to make the championship better.

Lotus GP put 2 cars in the top 8 today : Daniel Abt finished 3rd and climb on the podium for the first time of the season.

Aaro Vainio takes the points of the 7^th place after starting 8^th.

Conor Daly didn’t finished the race after an horrific crash. His car took off another one at the exit of the tunnel and hit the fences. The American was unhurt.

The next race will take place in Valencia at the end of june.

Lotus GP scored a new victory in the GP3 Series, courtesy of Aaro Vainio ! The finn, who discovers the streets of Monaco, led the race from start to finish. He's now leading the Championship.

Daniel Abt took the points of the 6th place after a strong race while Conor Daly had a difficult day and finished last following a bad start and a penalty for jump start.

Race 2 will take place tomorrow afternoon.

Lotus GP kicked off their 2012 GP3 campaign in style with young driver Aaro Vainio securing third place on the rostrum in race one and Conor Daly taking victory in race two. The opening round was held at the Circuit de Catalunya in sunny Spain with practice and qualifying quick to showcase the talents of the teams three young drivers.

All three finished in the top five in opening practice before Conor Daly went on to qualify in second place, Aaro Vainio in third and Daniel Abt in seventh.

Under beautiful sunny skies, Daniel Abt made a blinding start from seventh on the grid and was in the lead before turn one! However, stewards determined that he, along with two other drivers, had jumped the start and he was given a drive through penalty as a result, He eventually finished 13th. Meanwhile, Conor Daly and Aaro Vainio dropped back from the front to P5 and P6. However after a restart, Vainio fought tooth and nail to secure third spot while Conor Daly was in a fight of his own that left him in 6th overall.

Race two saw Conor Daly claiming his maiden victory after a flawless drive, despite the thunder clouds looming overhead and a four car crash on the opening lap. Conor enjoyed a close battle in the first few laps before finally taking the lead and charging to the finish, 3.2 seconds in the lead. Lotus GP teammate Aaro Vainio finished fourth and Daniel Abt crossed the line in 7th.

Conor Daly and Aaro Vainio both have 23 points apiece heading into Monaco in two week’s time for the series’ first visit to the principality while Daniel Abt has four. Lotus leaves Spain at the top of the team’s championship with 50 points.

Daniel Abt:

For me it was definitely a tough first weekend. Already in qualifying I was not able to reach a better place because of traffic and a mistake on my fastest lap. In the first race I made a jump start, which destroyed a good position of the weekend. The positive part is that I was able to show a good race pace and did some good overtaking from P22 in race one to P6 in Race 2 which is not that easy in Barcelona. Now I have to focus on Monaco which will be really exciting and I will give everything to be in front there!

Conor Daly:

I must first say I'm so happy to be a part of the Lotus GP team. They work so hard at getting the best out of the car and the driver and they are so driven to win! I have learned so much through the pre-season testing and I was able to take advantage of that over the weekend in Barcelona. This is a fantastic way to start a long championship. The goal is now to keep scoring points consistently and be in a position to challenge for wins on a regular basis and I'm very confident the team will give me the ability to do so. We win as a team and it was great to celebrate with the guys on the first weekend of the season!

Aaro Vainio:

Third position in qualifying was a great way to start the season but my start was not the best of my career on Saturday. I made a few mistakes and I have to work on them. We have to learn to manage the tyres and that was the trickiest part of the race for me and I know where we can improve so that's no so bad. A podium and 23 points, just two points shy the leader, it is definitely a good start. The season is long and it is important to secure good points at each meeting. Now we have to take it to the next step and to fight for the win.

Frédéric Vasseur:

Lotus GP was able to benefit from the dynamics of an exceptional season in 2011 to start 2012 off on a good foot. We worked well this winter and our three drivers adapted quickly to the team, the first great satisfaction. Our hard work was rewarded with very good performances; together with an excellent performance level. Conor was brilliant, as much in his attitude as in his driving and he was rewarded with a great victory. Aaro and Daniel also showed their potential but both with different successes. Aaro was powerful and constant during the entire weekend and his second place in the general classification is greatly deserved. A perfect weekend is rare and Daniel had some bad luck because he anticipated the start of the race a tenth of a second too quick. That made a strong impact on his two race results but that doesn’t take away any of his potential, which is that of a winner. On to Monaco!

First win of the season for Lotus GP, courtesy of Conor Daly. The American took advantage of a penalty given to the race leader to take the lead and keep it till the end of the race.

The two other Lotus GP cars are also in the points : Aaro Vaino finished 4^th while Daniel Abt took the 7^th place.

The team is now leading the championship. The next race will take place in Monaco, for the firt time in the GP3 Series history.

First podium of the season for Lotus GP in the GP3 Series, courtesy of Aaro Vainio. The Finnish driver was starting 3rd and, after a poor start, found back his 3rd place that he kept until the end of the race.

Conor Daly finished the race 6th. The american driver faced overheating issues during most of the race and couldn't be as quick as he had wished.

Daniel Abt has no points but drove a brillant race after being penalised by a Drive Through for jump start.

Race 2 will start at 9:15 tomorrow morning.

Lotus GP made a good start in the GP3 Series season putting its three cars in the top 8 of the first qualifying session of the year.

Conor Daly will start from the 2nd position on the grid, 0.078 off the pole position (A. Da Costa).

The american will be followed by Aaro Vainio who is 0.090 off the first place.

Daniel Abt had a more difficult session and will only start 7th.

Race 1 will start at 17:20.

The GP3 season has definitively started in Barcelona. As early as 8h30 this morning the three Lotus GP cars took part in the practice session where they finished 3rd, 4th and 5th.

Aaro Vainio was the quickest of the Lotus GP boys followed by Conor Daly and Daniel Abt.

Tomorrow, they will be back in action at 9h45 for the qualifying session for race 1.

The team is satisfied with the work done and is now looking forward to the opening round of the season in Barcelona on May 11, 12 and 13^th.

Aaro Vainio being held back in Finland for school exams, it’s Carlos Sainz Jr who drove the number 3 Lotus GP car for the first day.

The finnish driver was back at the wheel of his car for the second day.

Even if Abt and Daly faced technical problems, the team continued its testing program and the setup definition of its cars.

The next, and last, tests will take place in Silverstone.

The team has collected a lot of datas that will help to prepare as much the qualifying sessions and the races to come. Added to that, it has the fastest lap time of both days in its bag, courtesy of Aaro Vainio who lapped in 1:30.466.

The young Finnish driver is no stranger to the GP3 Series in which he participated in 2011.

At the age of 18, Aaro already had two full seasons of auto racing to his credit. He secured six podiums, two pole positions, and two best laps in 34 races. This winter, he took part in the Barcelona, Valencia, and Jerez tests with Lotus GP and was able to acclimate to the team, which in return got a chance to appreciate his application, determination, technical knowledge, and potential.

In 2012, Aaro will have to move up a level and help the team achieve its objectives, which are holding on to its two titles.

Aaro Vainio:

“I'm really excited and pleased to have this opportunity to drive with Lotus GP. This year I will have everything I need to succeed. Equipment and experience are the main keys. Lotus GP is for sure the best team on the field, looking at their fantastic achievements of the past two years, since they are undefeated in the GP3 series. I will do a lot of work and give the team my best so we can achieve great results. I look forward to starting the interseason testing and to working with the team.”

Frederic Vasseur:

“Aaro’s first season in the GP3 Series was not always filled with success, but he never lost his focus due to adversity and he showed strong performances on various occasions. Lotus GP confirmed his great potential during the three days of tests held at three different circuits, and we are confident that Aaro will be able to express himself in 2012 so that he is consistently at the front.”

Daniel Abt is the first of the trio the black and gold team has made official. The 19 year old German driver got to know the GP3 Series and Lotus during the interseason tests at Valencia and Jerez de la Frontera, where he had the best time of the last two days.

Daniel Abt dominated the ADAC Formel Masters 2009 (8 wins) and finished 2010 in 2nd place in German Formula 3 (2 wins). He successfully continued his apprenticeship in single-seaters in 2011 by securing three podiums in the F3 Euro Series and adapted to Lotus and the GP3 Series efficiently and quickly during the winter tests, where he demonstrated remarkable technical finesse and personal commitment.

Daniel Abt:

“I am very happy for the chance to continue my career in the GP3 Series, which was my favorite solution. Making this step with the Lotus GP team is like a little dream because everyone knows how professional and successful this squad is. I already felt at home during the first tests. Big thanks to my partners and sponsors who give me the chance to make this huge step. Now I'm looking forward to a lot of new challenges: a new car, a new team and some new race tracks. The tests were good. But more important than the times on the screen was: It was pure fun to drive the car and work with the team. I will now start to prepare as hard as possible for the next tests and the start of the season to pay back for the trust in me.”

Frederic Vasseur:

“Along with sporting and technical performance, the human aspect is an essential factor for success in an extremely competitive championship where there is no room for error at any level whatsoever. Daniel combines three skills. He attracted Lotus GP with his speed, his technical baggage, and his human qualities. We have every confidence in him to help us defend our two titles.”

The team kept working on optimum setups definition and improving the driving of the drivers in order to collect as much data as possible to analyze this winter.

Daniel Abt was regularly one of the fastest man on track, being the fastest 3 sessions out of 4.

This afternoon the team worked on race simulations.

Next tests in Jerez on December 1 and 2.

Daniel and Gregoire discovered the car and those two days allowed them to understand how it works and adapt their driving to extract the best out of it. Aaro was back at the wheel of a GP3 car for the first time since Monza and even if the finn had some troubles he improved well and did some good times yesterday afternoon.

The team gathered a lot of data which will help to improve the car balance. Next tests in Valencia on November 23 & 24.

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."

Penalty for James Calado, puncture for Richie Stanaway and accident for Valtteri Bottas, luck was not on Lotus ART's side today.

The team will now celebrates both titles won for the second year in a row !

After a good race, Richie finished 10th but took a penalty of 10 places tomorrow.

James Calado and Valtteri Bottas monopolized the front row of the starting grid in the first race and crossed the finish line in the reverse order, while newcomer Richie Stanaway climbed from 18th position to finish in 8th place.

After the first double of the season, Lotus ART was looking for a triple in the second race until Valtteri was struck by a rival. Richy Stanaway led the second race from start to finish, by managing his tyres and track conditions to perfection, despite his lack of experience with the series. By moving up to 2nd place, James moved to within 5 point of Valtteri in the overall ranking. The season finale in Monza two weeks from now will be decisive for the crowning of the drivers' title.

VALTTERI BOTTAS

“Make it three in a row in qualifying after my pole positions in Hungary and Germany was my goal.  In my best lap, I lost a bit of time here and there and it was not easy to push hard all the time, as there were still some damp patches. It would have been easy to ruin the weekend in one lap and I was looking at the big picture. I preferred to insure a 2nd place and to think of the championship. I had a very good start on Saturday and overtook James at the first corner. I pushed hard to open a gap and I was 3 seconds ahead of James at the end of the first lap. Our car is so much more competitive than at the beginning of the season. I have to thank Lotus ART for their hard work. The rest of the race was not easy but I could manage the tyres and it was the key to cruising to the win. The following day, I had a decent start and gained some positions. A podium was in the cards until Melker hit me. Alas, the engine was damaged and it cut off from time to time. I'm still leading the championship but I know I can't rest on my laurels. Monza will be pretty exciting, I can't wait!”

JAMES CALADO:

“Qualifying was quite good. We decided to go with the slick tyres early in the session in order to get some good tyre temperature and to bank a time before the last lap. That was the right decision in the end because I could carry a lot of speed in fast corners in the last lap which was decisive. I had too much wheelspin at the start of the race and Valterri got past me. The car was not ideal for whatever reason, maybe the tyre pressure. But the points of the second position were good. On Sunday, I had a very good start, I overtook two cars and the level of grip was much better than on Saturday. The car was flying thanks to Lotus ART’s technical options. 16 points is a great result and I can't be disappointed! I'm just 5 points down from Valterri and there will be a lot of pressure in Monza. I'm taking it race by race, every point will count, it's going to be a close fight down to the end and I think a lot will depend on qualifying.”

RICHIE STANAWAY:

“I had little time to get to grips with the car and the team and I was not that lucky in qualifying, but I was optimistic for the race thanks to the great help and work Lotus ART provided me. Obviously, there's a bit of pressure when you're a rookie and that P8 in the first race is within your reach. I kept calm, the team radioed me to give me all the information I needed and we made it. Starting from the pole, I did not have enough experience with the hand clutch and Nico Muller got me. I did not panic, I was close to him on the exit from La Source but I made sure I lifted a little before Eau Rouge so we had a bit of a gap and I was in the right place for a slip stream. I was just close enough then to get a good run on him and regained the lead. Then I just pushed as hard as I could on the first few laps to build up a lead and worked on keeping it. I just wanted to bring the car home. I'm glad and honored I played my role in Lotus ART’s title in the teams’ championship.”

FREDERIC VASSEUR:

“We've been close to perfection right from the start and the only regret is that we did not secure the 1-2-3 we deserved in race 2. Having said that, the whole team did a fantastic job and the team's title is a well-deserved reward. Valterri and James could hardly do better and Richie was just awesome for his first meeting in a very competitive series. We have to stay focused as the drivers' title is not in the bag yet and we know our rivals can be very strong.”

Valtteri Bottas was on his way to the podium when an engine problem slowed him down. He finished out of the points. The next meeting will be in Monza.