Thank you all for another great race. Congratulations Valerio, Graham and to everyone who saw the chequered flag.
Q: 4th
I found it difficult to adjust to a bone dry track after the wet-ish practice session. I was being too cautious when and where there was now plenty of grip. 2nd row was a pleasant surprise.
R: 1st
The start went well. I imagine everyone was being cautious not to get excessive wheel spin. I followed Andrei, then Eliezer, into T1. Andrei ran wide on the exit of T2 gifting me 2nd position.
Eliezer was flying away from me in the beginning; in only two laps he pulled out 6 seconds ahead. I settled in to a “safe” consistent pace and began to keep one eye in the mirror having already given up on catching the Ferrari.
Laps 6 – 7 saw Eliezer's tyres go off and I closed up after he may have had “a moment”. Battle ensued and I tried several times to get a run on him. I was pushed wide here and there as the Ferrari defended very well, all the while Cor was catching up and eager to join in.
There was some contact between us when it appeared all three attempted to drive around the same corner at the same time. Three wide? Sadly, Cor spun leaving Eli and I to continue the fight.
Down the back straight I again had a run out of the slow corner. Eliezer held the inside line, I braked early and executed a cut back move that saw me take 1st place. A really good battle there Mega.
The next few laps were interesting as I noted many drivers had elected to pit and my Intermediate tyres were beginning to caramelise loosing front-end grip [“grip”, is that the right word? J] I pitted end of lap 10, took on enough fuel to see the end of the race and a set of Hard Tyres.
Many drivers were on differing strategies and Graham and Cor in particular were quicker than me. A few times I was passed as they unlapped themselves. I think we all did a good job there. There was no need for me to get in the way of a good battle.
I managed to stay focused [enough] and kept the car [mostly] off the walls to finish 1st. My only victory in a Presto GP league race. I have to feel happy about that. I am, however, of the opinion that I was very lucky today by picking a winning strategy on the fly. The weather made all the difference.
Packing my bags for Suzuka...
Special thanks to Daniel who played a large part in my race.
Q: 4th
I found it difficult to adjust to a bone dry track after the wet-ish practice session. I was being too cautious when and where there was now plenty of grip. 2nd row was a pleasant surprise.
R: 1st
The start went well. I imagine everyone was being cautious not to get excessive wheel spin. I followed Andrei, then Eliezer, into T1. Andrei ran wide on the exit of T2 gifting me 2nd position.
Eliezer was flying away from me in the beginning; in only two laps he pulled out 6 seconds ahead. I settled in to a “safe” consistent pace and began to keep one eye in the mirror having already given up on catching the Ferrari.
Laps 6 – 7 saw Eliezer's tyres go off and I closed up after he may have had “a moment”. Battle ensued and I tried several times to get a run on him. I was pushed wide here and there as the Ferrari defended very well, all the while Cor was catching up and eager to join in.
There was some contact between us when it appeared all three attempted to drive around the same corner at the same time. Three wide? Sadly, Cor spun leaving Eli and I to continue the fight.
Down the back straight I again had a run out of the slow corner. Eliezer held the inside line, I braked early and executed a cut back move that saw me take 1st place. A really good battle there Mega.
The next few laps were interesting as I noted many drivers had elected to pit and my Intermediate tyres were beginning to caramelise loosing front-end grip [“grip”, is that the right word? J] I pitted end of lap 10, took on enough fuel to see the end of the race and a set of Hard Tyres.
Many drivers were on differing strategies and Graham and Cor in particular were quicker than me. A few times I was passed as they unlapped themselves. I think we all did a good job there. There was no need for me to get in the way of a good battle.
I managed to stay focused [enough] and kept the car [mostly] off the walls to finish 1st. My only victory in a Presto GP league race. I have to feel happy about that. I am, however, of the opinion that I was very lucky today by picking a winning strategy on the fly. The weather made all the difference.
Packing my bags for Suzuka...
Special thanks to Daniel who played a large part in my race.