Somewhat suprised over my pace at a track which I do not like very much, but I did not mind fighting for the Pole Position
Was a crazy fight over onethousands of seconds! At one time, I think it was only 0,007 separating the top 3. Unfortunately, I missed in the last corner on my last run - was on a good lap, and think I could have shaved of just a little bit of more time there. Had to settle for 3rd, which I am extremely happy with.
Race:
Kept rolling out of my starting position, but when the lights turned green, I had an ok getaway. Took the careful approach to the first corner, leaving alot of space on the inside. Knew Mallorqui probably would take advantage of that, but I would have the inside for the next corner. He though, must have thought I gave up on the outside, because going into the 2nd corner, he hits me hard in the side. Somehow I managed to keep the car in the right direction, but it had damage all around.
Manage to get by Mallorqui again, when he tangles with Kalyanov, but I am not interested in risking everything so early in the race, so he gets fairly easy past again. Tusting also goes past, but Kalyanov goes for a spin, so I am still holding 4th.
I try to keep a little distance to Tusting, so that I do not disturb his pace, hoping that we can pull away from the people behind. And it seem to work perfect, as the gap back to Euysal and Gosbee, among other, grow.
Closing in on half distance, it looks as if Tusting's pace drops a bit. As he holds me up, I choose to pit early. Tusting pits the next lap, and Mallorqui after another one. I actually manage to jump both of them on that move! Mallorqui though, looks faster on new tires. Therefore I do not fight back when he attacks, and hope for a similar strategy as earlier in the race - this time trying to pull away from Tusting.
Again it works - we pull away a couple of seconds to Tusting, until we catch some backmarkers. Then it seems as if Mallorqui's pace drops of a bit. Tusting quickly catch up, and get so close, that I have to put pressure on Mallorqui. He slams the door on several occasions, hard but fair
But one time, I have to take a little avoiding action in T1. I loose tow on Mallorqui at the same time as Tusting is closer than ever. I have no chance as he fly by on the outside down the backstraight.
I struggle a little bit on the straights, but hold on towards the end. On the last lap, it gets very tight. Out of the last corner, Tusting and Mallorqui tangle slightly as we pass the pit-entry. With alot more speed, I pull out to pass them to the line. But as I am sprinting past Mallorqui, he pulls over hard and hits me, sending me into the wall, effectively ending any chances for me passing the two of them in the last few metres - ending P4.
Generally I am happy with 4th place. Mallorqui has apologized the incident, which I respect him for, but I cant deny feeling a bit disappointed and upset about how it ended...and started for that matter...
Grats to Mark for an awesome race!