First of all big congrats to Sean, Peter and David! A very well deserved result for all of you! Also again very good points for Nicolai and everyone else who finished.
Because of many private action (My son arrived at home late on Monday
) it was uncertain until the last minute, if I have the time to join or not. Finally I managed to join late in practice.
Qualy (1st):
When I had my one and only test at the Nürburgring last sunday, I felt very comfortable immediately. Nevertheless it was hard to get on pole. So I was very happy.
Race (DNF):
The start was ok but I slightly missed the braking point and went a little wide in T1, so Sean slipped through on the inside and also David made it to my inside. So through the first 4 corners I had a ver nice side by side battle with David. Finally I was on the inside for T5 and saved 2nd position.
Sean's pace was very good and I had to give everything to follow him close. I had no stint practice this time but the adjusted qualy setup felt good and my guess to take softs was right. When the first stop came closer I was ~ 2 seconds behind Sean. So I pitted one lap earlier to have the opportunity to "overtake" Sean because of taking advantage from the fresh tyres earlier than he.
It was close to pay off because Sean pitted 2 laps later, but a little clinch with Valter took me away this 1 seconds I ended up behind Sean again. No problem Valter - that's racing.
I was surprised you finally moved over without defending.
The second stint developed similar to the first one. But this time Sean could drive away a bit more and I pushed even harder to possibly undercut him in the second pit stop.
But then in lap 26 or 27 I made a tiny mistake which was the beginning of the end. Approaching T10 (i think), the left hander of the 3rd gear left-right-combo in the end of the middle sector, I had a very light over steer short before counter steering to the right hander. I know I was always at the edge their but this car reaction came too unexpected end even smashing into the brakes to stabilize the car didn't prevent me from hitting the wall in a bad angle. I got a front wing and suspension damage.
I was close to the second stop, so I could make it earlier for repairs and taking meds instead of softs, so I could safe a high finishing position. But back on track and down the straight, I cycled through my pit presets and therefore completely missed the braking point of the chicane. I smashed hard into the wall and lost both front wheels - race over! :oops:
I hate it doing such things and destroying my race by myself!
But it helps learning quickly.
Conclusion: If I suffer from damages again, I will take all my concentration to bring it quickly back to the pits and then take some extra seconds to make the required changes.
Now I'm thursty for more races to make this one forgotten soon and enjoy so nice fights like this one with Sean until the end of a race then.
As always big thanks to Nico, RD and the mod makers MMG and Günthar Rowe!
PS: I feel very sorry for Tim!
One funny thing. When Reik happened to DNF it affected my race too. I had no fuel left when I passed the last turn and the engine died completely over the finish line. I usually don't need fuel for the entire distance
Don't forgett that Sean was quicker this time, so my DNF should not have an influence on your total lap amount. It looks more like your pace improved, so you are now longer in one lap with the leader!
Reik disappeared along the way too and 2nd place became mine. Well behind our new alien Sean.
You and Reik must have a great battle.
Indeed! Even though it was never a battle like side by side but I was often very close behind to let him feel my breath.
But he was mega cool to make no mistake and finally I couldn't hold up the pressure... So a very well deserved victory for Sean!
And a big "very well done" to you, too!
