Pastor Maldonado Takes Dominant Win in First Jordan Grand Prix

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time
1	29	Pastor Maldonado		1:14.463
2	1	Sebastian Vettel		1:15.076
3	2	Lewis Hamilton		1:15.260
4	30	Dean Stoneman		1:15.309
5	62	Jules Bianchi		1:15.073*
6	34	Valtteri Bottas		1:15.506
7	33	Einar Ármannsson		1:15.686
8	63	Diego Álvarez Torrente		1:15.731
9	28	Daniel Melrose		1:15.743
10	27	Dave Cassidy		1:15.835
11	22	Jordan Davies		1:16.452
12	23	Pierre Gasly		1:16.612
13	32	Alexander Albon		1:16.647
14	24	Kevin Magnussen		1:16.660
15	31	Romain Grosjean		1:16.705
16	21	J. R. Hildebrand		1:16.748
17	55	Artem Markelov		1:16.960
18	5	Marvin Kirchhöfer		1:16.965
19	6	Santiago Urrutia		1:17.462
20	90	Daniel Ricciardo		1:17.469
21	66	Pascal Wehrlein		1:17.672
22	91	Max Verstappen		1:17.677
23	119	Felix Rosenqvist		1:17.716
24	56	Sergey Sirotkin		1:17.718
25	67	Mike Rockenfeller		1:17.893
26	118	Carlos Sainz Jr		1:18.076

* demoted three places for causing an avoidable accident

Report:

Formula One has finally achieved a third race in the Middle East, as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are joined by rising economy Jordan. As part of attracting investors with the Jordan 2025 plan, the kingdom has decided to grant funding for a motorsport venue.

It is a glorious venue and it is visited by the most glorious series in the world: Formula 1 send 26 men to do battle and it was Pastor Maldonado who dominated the race, becoming the first winner of the Jordan Grand Prix, doing so in style after his Sauber received an upgrade.

This win seriously helps his championship charge, especially as both Caterham and Precision very much embarrassed themselves today: Jules Bianchi took himself (and nearly his teammate) out, Vettel spun late in the race and Hamilton ran into a backmarker.

This opened the door for Ferrari and Theodore, both teams bringing both of their cars home. Jordan Davies scores points once more, he has really risen up to become a leader after Vandoorne’s terrible accident in Finland, this is precisely what Haas-Judd need right now.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	29	Pastor Maldonado		43:10.736	15
2	30	Dean Stoneman		+18.333	12
3	63	Diego Álvarez Torrente		+32.260	10
4	33	Einar Ármannsson		+38.475	8
5	34	Valtteri Bottas		+42.671	6
6	2	Lewis Hamilton		+45.258*	5
7	28	Daniel Melrose		+51.304	4
8	27	Dave Cassidy		+63.954	3
9	22	Jordan Davies		+65.804	2
10	1	Sebastian Vettel		+67.084	1
11	24	Kevin Magnussen		+62.238	0
12	21	J. R. Hildebrand		+74.338	0
13	23	Pierre Gasly		+83.859	0
14	91	Max Verstappen		1 Lap	0
15	66	Pascal Wehrlein		1 Lap	0
16	56	Sergey Sirotkin		1 Lap	0
17	119	Felix Rosenqvist		1 Lap	0
18	6	Santiago Urrutia		1 Lap	0
19	67	Mike Rockenfeller		1 Lap	0
20	118	Carlos Sainz Jr		1 Lap	0
21	5	Marvin Kirchhöfer		2 Laps	0
DNF	90	Daniel Ricciardo		Loose Wheel	0
DNF	32	Alexander Albon		Collision	0
DNF	62	Jules Bianchi		Collision	0
DNF	31	Romain Grosjean		Engine	0
DNF	55	Artem Markelov		Collision	0

Fastest Lap:

Pastor Maldonado – 1:15.697

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Theodore-Judd – nearly returned to the ways of the season opener, taking the fight to the big boys.

Reject Of The Race:

Caterham-Judd/Precision-Mercedes – awful driving by all four drivers give Sauber an opening.