Pedals were messed up early in quali, then Axel towed me, but in good laps either we had a mishap, and then I blew the BRM engine. This decided I would use an extremely tall 5th and 6th gear for the race...in the end I had to set a lap in clean air, which was decent and good for P4...
After start in Dunlop Curve we all bunched up, and went a bit loose checking up on the outside, this might have led to Iestyn hitting the barriers, sorry mate...after the first Mulsanne passage Tristan sadly discoed, just after he had passed me there...very tough luck Tris
For a while it looked like Axel and I could break away, but the tow was too strong. Couldn't manage to pass Axel with tow, improving both our laptimes. Had set an incredible tall 6th gear that gave me once 322kmh with the BRM, 201mph, but needing whole Mulsanne to catch up...in clean air I did about 295kmh/183mph...
This way Doni caught up, and later Dean. Decided not to race to hard and try to hang back. It wouldn't matter passing anyone, as they would drive past me on the straights again. However now and then I tried to make a move, just for practise later in the race. Almost rearended Axel, after initially braking too early for Mulsanne, and then finally braking too late last 50m. That was close, Doni went under me when I almost went straight. I think Axel saw me coming and gave me just that extra room I needed.
Dean made a mistake out of Arnage I think, and sadly blew up a lap later out of Tertre Rouge. Initially I thought he got caught out by me checking up for Doni out of Tertre Rouge, who went a bit sideways and lost momentum.
Basically let Axel and Doni fight. After I made before mentioned mistake at Mulsanne, decided to hang back a bit and trying to set a fast lap. After Axel sadly spun out at Indianapolis getting banked, I tried to stay close to Doni, and practise the final move out of Maison Blanche, as I knew this was my only chance to win. In the penultimate lap I made a good practise, but decided to stay behind at S/F.
In the last lap still tried to outbrake Doni at Mulsanne, was able to hold the inside but I bogged down, and to my surprise Doni still outaccelerated me. Stayed close until the section where nowadays the Porsche Curves are, but missed the line and lost momentum. Tried to compensate at Maison Blanche, but went wide exiting, hit the grass, and spun into the left wall. Got lucky to limp to the finish salvaging P2...
Very good win Doni, not lucky at all. Very well measured drive, being patient and agressive when you had to. Didn't know it was your first UKGPL win! Many congrats, and well deserved buddy!
Glad I didn't take you out. Also good job Dave Rainier, always a solid finisher
Commiserations for the retirements...