Spa-Francorchamps, 28 August – It was a really difficult day for the young hopefuls of the Ferrari Driver Academy, competing at Spa-Francorchamps in yet more rounds of the junior categories. Jules Bianchi ended up outside the points in the first GP2 race this afternoon: having recovered from breaking a lumbar vertebra in an accident at the last round a month ago in Budapest, the French Art Grand Prix driver could do no better than fourteenth place in a race won by Pastor Maldonado (Rapax) from Alvaro Parente (Scuderia Coloni) and Romain Grosjean (Dams.)
After qualifying third for the GP3 race, Mirko Bortolotti actually started from twelfth on the grid because, along with thirteen other drivers he was penalised for having set his time when the yellow flags were out. Then, in the race he was given a drive through penalty for jumping the start. The Ardennes adventure did not last long for the Italian Addax Team drivers in a race that ended behind the Safety Car because of torrential rain hitting the track just seven laps after the start. The order at the flag saw the top step of the podium go to Robert Wickens (Status Grand Prix,) ahead of Leonardo Cordeiro (MW Arden) and Paul Varhaug (Jenzer Motorsport.)

Jules and Mirko get their chance to try again in the second races in both categories, starting tomorrow at 9.25.