When Ronnie predicted mayhem at this track before the race I knew he was probably going to be right.
I find this track to be one of those that requires precise braking and lines through corners so that you carry as much speed as you can onto those short straights afterwards. Because of that, it is essential to be right on the edge of adhesion and use all the tarmac, which is fine if you are alone but in a pack of cars......
not likely to end well.
Incidentally was I alone in finding that I did not need 5th gear anywhere???
This is one of those tracks where it might be better to start from the pitlane and avoid the inevitable Lap 1 congestion and contact. But overtaking any car around here that is even half "hooked up" is almost impossible, so the only option was to try and get on the front row and hope that I could avoid any incidents.
As usual I started qually with race fuel and built up the speed slowly, creeping my way up the grid with each lap. Robert and the 2 Mercaldo brothers had set the pace early and Ronnie was in the mix too, it all looked a bit quick. At one point I was 2nd on the grid, but soon slipped to 5th or 6th and that was too far back for a safe start I felt . So I resorted to desperate tactics and dumped half the fuel...I needed to find about 0.6secs to hit the front row.
A couple of laps to warm the tyres and adjust my braking points and it was "banzai time". Twice I was on a hot lap and caught another car...not a complaint guys, that is just the lottery of qualifying
and lost time. But eventually I found a clear lap and it was almost a perfect lap, maybe there were a couple of tenths lost when the car inexplicably went slightly sideways....cannot understand why that should have happened
.
So, to the start.
It would not be wrong to say I was nervous at the start. At least 4 guys right behind who were going to be quick, and behind them a whole bunch of guys who were going to be eager into T1............
Fortunately pole position was on the inside for T1 so I hugged the grass and took a tight defensive line .......just waiting for that tap on my gearbox...., but I survived untouched ..phew!!!
Then it was case of nailing the first 3 laps and building a gap, which also worked well.
Everything was going well....my lead was increasing lap on lap and I did not need to push too hard. Then I got distracted by some activity on Prib and missed my braking point. A half spin onto the grass and a slow recovery allowed P Mercaldo to sweep through and take the lead.
The next 10 laps were great fun hunting down PM and looking for a way past. Although I felt I had more pace I could not find an opening. Apologies for the tap at T1
, (but I waited for you to regain the track and the lead which was only fair.
)
I pressed and pressed waiting for a mistake but PM defended his line fairly and prevented me getting a run on him until he went sideways on the run into T1 and I was able to slip through on the inside. After that I eased away and I think a mistake for PM dropped him a long way back so that I was able to cruise to the flag.
Quite satisfying to nail a great qually time and take the win, but the F2's are a very competitive class with not much daylight between the main contenders...looking good for the last few rounds
Grats to the other podium places and to all those who finished. Good luck to the moderator...looks like he has some work to do