Esteban Gutierrez

Monte Carlo, Monaco – A front wing problem forced Esteban Gutierrez to climb back from behind to eventually finish 12th on the first race of the GP2 Series in Monaco.

Gutierrez started the race from 9th on the grid and gained two positions after the start, placing himself 7th, but during his pit stop the front wing was damaged and he was forced to enter the pits again to replace it, losing several positions and falling down to 19th place, from where he started to climb back.

Esteban Gutierrez
Lotus ART Team / Auto # 6 / Telmex / Multigama / Fastenal / Vector Casa de Bolsa / Interproteccion / DeAcero / Total Health Nutrients / Alpinestars / Bell Helmets
 
“The start was quite good. We reached a very good position but then when I entered the pits there was a tool left on the way after Jules´ pit stop.
 
“I came in after Jules’ stopped, damaging my front wing with that tool. I had to come in again for a new wing and later on my fire extinguisher failed too and the thing is we could have finished in a better position but that’s how things happened", he explained.

After the two previous events where a number of factors prevented him from finishing the first race, this time - despite several problems – Esteban saw the checkered flag. The winner of the race was Davide Valsecchi, with Team AirAsia.

“After all I can say this has been one of the hardest races of my entire career. I wouldn’t say there is a lesson to learn as much as I´d say it´s been an experience that will make me stronger in every aspect. It was very demanding physically and a tough day with all the negative things that happened to us.

“I feel a little frustrated because all those factors together made for a difficult day, but on the other hand I enjoyed it very much because it is always important to finish a race, especially under the circumstances. We hope that kind of mistakes won’t happen too often”, he remarked.
 
The 19-year-old driver, who is on his first season in the F1 feeder series with team Lotus ART, knows that the results are around the corner and he is living all of the experiences in a smart way. There will be a new chance for him tomorrow on the same circuit in Monaco.
 
“It feels special because Monaco is a different track, very special in every aspect. So far this has been an incredible experience even though the results are still to come and there is one more race this weekend.

“We have to be realistic because this is a difficult track for overtaking and there is not much on the side of strategy. It will be important not to crash any other cars and enjoy the race. We have to make a smart race”, he concluded.

TIMETABLE:

SATURDAY, MAY. 22th
Race 2 - (45 mins)
 09h10 (CT Mexico)
 15h10 (UTC/GMT +0 hrs, London)
 16h10 (CEST Monaco)

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For more information about Esteban Gutierrez, the Lotus ART Team, the GP2 Series, or his sponsors Multigama, Telmex, Fastenal, Vector Casa de Bolsa, Interproteccion, DeAcero, Total Health Nutrients, Alpinestars and Bell, visit their official websites at: www.estebanracing.com, www.art-grandprix.com,  www.gp2series.com, www.escuderiatelmex.com, www.fastenal.com, www.vector.com.mx, www.interproteccion.com.mx, www.deacero.com, www.totalhealthnutrients.com, www.alpinestars.com, www.bellsports.com