Love this track with a fast car, and the big Maserati was a joy to drive here.
Regrettably I couldn't match my offline pb in qual. It would have landed me pole - just
Instead I was 1.1 sec down and 5th on the grid. Remarkable how close the first 5 cars were, considering it's 3:50-ish laptimes.
Lost and gained places on the first hectic lap, so still in 5th when it ended. Chased after Roger for most of the first half. Gap seesawed a bit, but I couldn't mount a challenge. 5th became 3rd when we both passed Ziu going into the pits, and Ati seemingly waiting in vain for him after a contact. Later that lap, Roger ran wide onto the shoulder, which allowed me to zip past.
Pit at the end of lap 8, in 2nd behind Bob. Fuel only and exit pits ahead of him, now in 3rd. Next lap that was converted to 1st, when cars ahead of me did their pitstop. Concentrated hard on being smooth on my worn tyres. Had a 5-6 sec gap to Bob, which held to the finish line.
Surprised and obviously very chuffed with a win, and with having made the most of my precious last Maserati drive; will be missing it!
Sad to see so many retire prematurely, so congrats to all who made it to the finish.
Cheers,
Erling
