Motorsports Mondial

Esteban Gutierrez

Photo. GP2 Media

Winning Vector in Valencia. Mexican racing sensation Esteban Gutierrez scored the biggest win of his career on Sunday. The 19-year old from Monterrey dominated the sprint race to score his maiden win in the GP2 series, the official feeder series to Formula One.

Gutierrez is already under contract to Sauber F1 team. Sunday’s win will boost his confidence in the forthcoming races at traditional tracks, where his previous experience in Formula BMW and F3 Euro series will be an added advantage.

Gutierrez got his racing career going in high gear right from the start, starting his first ever single-seater event from pole position at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. He would go on to capture Rookie of the Year title in the 2007 Formula BMW US series.

In 2008, he competed in the European iteration of the same series and dominated the season with seven victories, six of these in a row. The following season he started an association with French ART team which continues to the current GP2 campaign.

The 2009 season saw Esteban endure a tough but learning experience in Formula 3 Euro Series. Visit to the top of the podium step eluded him but the driver and the team never lost faith in each other.

Then came GP3 in 2010.

The Nicholas Todt/Frederic Vasseur-owned ART team decided to enter the new series – official feeder series to GP2 – with Esteban as one of the three drivers.

In a talent laden field which included several championship winning drivers, most notably Canadian Robert Wickens, American Alexander Rossi and Italian Mirko Bortolotti, Gutierrez won more races (5) than any other driver on his way to championship glory, and was on the podium in more than half of the races.

Photo. GP2 Media

The step-up to GP2 with the now re-named Lotus ART team provides him continued experience in a friendly and familiar environment with a very successful and professional operation.

A jubilant Gutierrez said on his website www.estebanracing.com “I am grateful to the team because we have improved the car very much and today we had a car to win the race, which helped me to be consistent and confident to turn our advantage into a win.

“Winning is a great motivation but at the same time we have to preserve our head cool because we have to keep in mind that I am a rookie and we are going to try and be more efficient and take advantage of our progress.

“I dedicate this win to my mom, whose birthday was last Friday. I am very grateful to my friends, my family, my girlfriend and my sponsors for their support in the good as well as the bad times. I also thank my fans because they are a very important part of my career.”

Gutierrez will now focus on his next race at Silverstone in July.

 

— Nasir Hameed

 

Greetings and racing regards.