Pic wins GP2 opener

The Frenchman's victory was a first success for the Arden team since Edoardo Mortara's sprint race victory at the same circuit 12 months ago.

Giacomo Ricci was a surprise second for the DRP team and Dani Clos of Racing Engineering completed the podium as the pre-race favourites fell by the wayside one-by-one.

ART driver Jules Bianchi started in pole position and led into the first corner but then collided with Racing Engineering's Christian Vietoris which put both cars out of the race.

The same incident meant that another ART driver, Sam Bird, who started second on the grid, was forced wide and he then had to go into the pits to get a new nose. Bird did well to recover and finish ninth.

After that incident it had looked as if Sergio Perez (Barwa Addax) had control of the race but he was then delayed by a slow pitstop and had to settle for fourth position.

That allowed Pic to drive a strong, intelligent race and he held just enough of a lead for the rest of the race to deny a fast charging Ricci.

Meanwhile, GP2 organisers have announced that the Portimao round of the series - initially scheduled to host this season's fourth round in June - will now not take place or be replaced.

Race 2 - Sunday 9.35am LIVE on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin 521) and on the Eurosport Player