Image:James Calado: Claimed comfortable victory at Hockenheim
British driver James Calado led from start to finish to claim a dominant victory in the GP2 sprint race at Hockenheim.
Brit claims lights-to-flag victory in sprint race at Hockenheim
British driver James Calado led from start to finish to claim a dominant victory in the GP2 sprint race at Hockenheim.
The Lotus GP man crossed the finish line eight seconds ahead of Caterham Racing driver Giedo van der Garde, with Felipe Nasr of DAMS coming home third.
The decisive moment came right at the start as Calado stormed away from pole, with Nigel Melker's stutter from third on the grid bunching up the field.
Front-row starter Luiz Razia then went wide at the first turn and spun his car shortly after as Giedo van der Garde, Nasr and Fabio Leimer joined the battle.
Max Chilton and Tom Dillmann were trapped behind the Brazilian and came together on the apex of the hairpin, which prompted the safety car to come out.
The delay lasted only one lap and Calado was soon pulling away at the front, with Van der Garde getting past Nasr to move up into second place.
Nasr was unable to stay with the leading pair and the field bunched up behind him, but the Brazilian was able to hang onto the podium spot until the end of the race.
Esteban Gutierrez was charging through the field, rising to fifth before eventually being thwarted by Leimer's defensive effort.
Up ahead Calado was under no such pressure as he eased to victory, while Razia maintained his championship lead over Davide Valsecchi.
