Junior Open Wheel Talent

This is a bit dated now, but still worthy of mention.... Formula 3 Euro Series driver Stefano Coletti will replace Davide Valsecchi at Durango for the GP2 Round at Valencia.

Coletti, who is a former Red Bull Junior, has been running in the F3 Euro Series for the last two seasons. He made one start in the World Series by Renault earlier this year (at Monte Carlo--where he finished 10th). In the F3 Euro Series, he has had a decent year. He is currently ninth in the championship with 6 top-tens, 1 win, and 2 podiums. Obviously, GP2 will be a huge jump for him, but not an impossible transition.

Davide Valsecchi will be moving into the GP2 seat at Barwa Addax vacated by Romain Grosjean. Grosjean will be moving to Formula 1 as a replacement for Nelson Piquet at Renault.

Valsecchi was really strong in GP2 Asia while driving for Durango but failed to really carry that success over (on a consistent basis) to the GP2 Championship this spring. His best finish is 3rd, which came at Istanbul in early June. He started 10th in that race. His average finish in GP2 this season has been 13.5 (which includes 2-DNF's). It will be interesting to see how he performs at Barwa Addax. Obviously, it should prove to be a beneficial move as he will now be part of the Renault Driver Development program.

(photo: www.stefanocoletti.com)