2000 Brazilian GP
Buurlage returns to the top step
Almost 5 years after his win at the Monaco Grand Prix, Lesley Buurlage could finally take his 11th career win. Starting from pole position, he led almost all the race except for a few laps when Kederer, who was on another strategy, was at the front. The German took second place with a 3 stopper, although having started from the back end of the field.
In the opening laps of the race Wolf quickly dropped back, clearly lacking race pace. Teammate Ancevski wasn't off better, a puncture forced him to stop early. The Jaguars and Ferraris quickly worked through the field, while others like Herbert, Diehl and Lintner made mistakes which saw them dropping back. The 3 stoppers came to the pits around lap 20, amongst them Martins and Kederer, who were running in 2nd and 3rd at that point. After the 2 stoppers also made their first stop, the running order was Buurlage leading, followed by Kederer, Utzer, Martins, Hunsley and Foro. Keranen and Rautavaara in 7th and 8th, behind them the Jaguars with Saidy between them.
Laad with a small mistake shortly after which cost him a few places. In lap 33 Kederer took the lead, but only briefly as he made his second stop shortly after. With the other 3 stoppers also pitting, it now was Buurlage ahead of Hunsley, Keranen, Saidy, Rautavaara and Engberink. Saidy's charge through the field came to an end a few laps later though when his engine failed. Remarkably the first retirement of the race in already 40 laps. Running in 11th Black's gearbox failed a few laps later, just before the final stops.
After those Buurlage was back in the lead, with a comfortable 15 seconds gap to Kederer in second. Keranen in 3rd another few seconds back. Engberink was in 4th, with a great drive he had worked all the way up from 21st. Hunsley was down to 5th, as he had lost a couple of seconds during his second stop. Laad had the last point for 6th place. Two more retirements, both Poirier and Foro suffered an engine failure. At the front things remained unchanged, and Buurlage brought home the win, some 7 seconds ahead of Kederer, with Keranen 17 seconds back in 3rd.
FIA Press Conference
@Lesley Buurlage: How happy are you having taken the win after such a long time without?
@Aidan Keranen: You didn't sound that optimistic before the race, why that?
@Tim Engberink: Stunning charge through the field, was it much fun being able to pass so many cars?
Market is open!
Warnings updated in the 3rd post.
@Lesley Buurlage: How happy are you having taken the win after such a long time without?
@Aidan Keranen: You didn't sound that optimistic before the race, why that?
@Tim Engberink: Stunning charge through the field, was it much fun being able to pass so many cars?
Market is open!
Warnings updated in the 3rd post.
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