Carroll loses ground

Adam Carroll slipped further off the GP2 Series pace after finishing 11th in the second race at Hockenheim.

Ulsterman Carroll had started a lowly 19th on the grid, and although a steady drive saw him climb eight places by the end of the 27 laps, it was not enough for an all-important top-six points scoring finish.

Although Carroll remains fourth in the championship, the leading trio all scored points as current pacesetter Heikki Kovalainen was sixth, with close rivals Nico Rosberg fourth and Scott Speed third.

Frenchman Olivier Pla comfortably took the flag from pole for his first victory of the season, with Italy’s Giorgio Pantano second, albeit with neither in title contention.