Not a track I like at all, but still had to get on with the job
The high curbs suggested a soft setup was the way to go, but while the car felt more benign, I got my best laptimes with a harder-than-usual setup. Strange, but couldn't argue with the numbers, so went with the harder option.
Did my first and so far only sub-23 lap in pre race practice, with a 22.7. Regrettably I couldn't repeat it in qual and had to settle for 5th. Start went ok. Ziu moved from right to left, cutting in front of my car. I was on the brakes early, but light before T1. Gap between us momentarily increased, but then Ziu slammed on the anchors hard. Caught me out, and before I could react, I hit him, sending him off track. Very sorry about that Ziu
Waited for him to rejoin, as the rest of the field passed by. Somehow managed to miss Ziu going past, and ended up waiting far longer than necessary. Thus 14th and very much last when I finally got going again. Briefly considered retiring, as it seemed almost pointless to continue, being so far behind. Glad I didn't though, given the later result.
Caught and passed a few cars, mostly when they had various moments. Caught up to Clive then. As expected, he wouldn't go down easily. His car being quicker than mine wasn't going to help either. I of course hoped he had made one of his frequent "hot, but undriveable" setups
, but seemingly not the case. Took several laps before I could do some slipstreaming down the straight, and attempt a move into T1. Great success; outbraked not only Clive, but myself too
Thus status quo was maintained, when he dove under and retook the position. More laps chasing, before he made a small mistake, losing enough momentum for me to get in front before the next turn.
Challenge then was to remain there, with a dense gaggle of cars up front. Can't recall the exact order, but passed a couple when they went off. Chasing Tony and now having more success with the outbrake move into T1. Repeated it on Matt next lap. Apologies guys, if it was too aggressive; not many places to pass on this track, unless the driver ahead makes a mistake.
Next up was Bob. Given his usual stability, it wouldn't be easy to find a way past. Took some laps to get close enough for slipstreaming down the straight. As we neared the end, Bob had moved right, presumably to break my tow, but that handed me the racing line into T1. Took about all the braking skills I could possibly muster, but got cleanly ahead into T1. Pitboard had indicated we were fighting over 3rd, but I honestly didn't believe it - I couldn't possibly have moved that far up the grid ?
Didn't realise until after the race, that the dark blue, rejoining car I passed shortly after was De Martini, and that I was in a seemingly impossible 2nd place when the race ended prematurely.
Grats to Attila on the win, and De Martini on 3rd. Apologies again to Ziu; hope you can still bounce back with regards to the championship.
Cheers,
Erling