Pastor Maldonado is the new GP2 championship leader after his victory and a 6th place finish this week-end in Istanbul. Dani Clos clinched his first GP2 win in Race 2.

After he qualified in second place for race 1, Maldonado entered the first corner in first position, after he passed poleman Davide Valsecchi at the start.

The driver from Venezuela kept the lead until the checkered flag, and crossed the line with a 20 seconds margin from Valsecchi, while Sam Bird took third position.

Sergio Perez finished fourth, but was eventually penalized, his car being under minimal weight after the race. That meant that Dani Clos inherited 8th position, which gave the Spanish driver the advantage to start from the pole position for race 2 (reverse grid rule).

Clos did not miss his chance to shine and converted this unexpected pole to a victory, his first in GP2.

After his win in Race 1, Maldonado took 6th place finish in race 2, meaning he is the new championship leader.

Race 1 Results:
1 - Pastor Maldonado - Rapax - 32 laps in 52'33"219
2 - Davide Valsecchi - iSport + 19"531
3 - Sam Bird - ART + 23"327
4 - Giedo Van der Garde - Addax + 26"129
5 - Luiz Razia - Rapax + 26"746
6 - Michael Herck - DPR + 30"444.
7 - Christian Vietoris - Racing Engineering + 36"719
8 - Dani Clos - Racing Engineering + 41"469
Etc.

Race 2 Results:
1 - Dani Clos - Racing Engineering - 23 laps in 37'25"211
2 - Luiz Razia - Rapax + 8"870
3 - Giedo Van der Garde - Addax + 12"996
4 - Davide Valsecchi - iSport + 13"479
5 - Michael Herck - DPR + 14"583
6 - Pastor Maldonado - Rapax + 19"118.
7 - Jerome D'Ambrosio - Dams + 20"080
8 - Sergio Perez - Addax + 20"488
Etc.

Championship: 1.Maldonado 27 points ; 2.Clos 23; 3.Razia 20; 4.Perez, Van der Garde 17; 6.Valsecchi 13; 7.Bird, Bianchi 11; 9.Pic 10; 10.Leimer 8, etc.