The Qi-Meritus.Mahara drivers may have been the first to visit the Dubai track scheduled to host both testing and the first races for the new GP2 Asia Series, but neither Luca Filippi or Hiroki Yoshimoto managed to do much as heavy rain greeted their arrival.
Filippi joined team-mate Yoshimoto in Dubai in preparation for the first group test at the Dubai Autodrome later this week and, eager to get to work, wasted no time in heading straight to the 5.39km facility - only to find a major clear-up in operation.
"I landed early this morning and my first priority was to visit the circuit," Filippi commented, "I didn't know what to expect coming here, but I am amazed. The city is really magical and amazing. I was surprised by how easily we found the circuit, just 25 minutes from central Dubai.
"I hoped we'd get to walk the circuit today, but unfortunately there is still a lot of standing water because of the recent floods and the circuit staff are working on clearing up the situation. Nevertheless, the circuit looks impressive and quite similar to the tracks in I've experienced already in Bahrain and Turkey. I usually go well on this type of circuit so let's see tomorrow what we can get out of the track."
Team-mate Yoshimoto was equally disappointed by his first visit to the Autodrome.
"I was a bit disappointed not to be able walk around the track with the engineers because of the downpour, but obviously the situation is being addressed," he noted, "Instead of walking the track, we've spent some more time on fitness training to make sure we're in top condition for tomorrow, when the weather should be much better. The garage is looking good with our cars almost all set up, but I can't wait to get on track."
Meritus, under the guidance of team boss Peter Thompson, will make its GP2 debut when testing gets underway in Dubai, having taken the place of Racing Engineering for the inaugural Asian campaign, but former driver Narain Karthikeyan has no doubts that it can be right on the pace.
