Finally, the first time I see the checkered flag with the 55s this season
Without any tokens available, I opted to reduce my options to the Gordini and Connaught.
After a few laps on the practice server last Friday, I was scared about how quickly I managed to be completely with no brakes. At first I thought it was something very wrong with my setup or even something I had missed for the mod (an update, patch, etc...).
Then I read some reports and realised it was totally normal. So I had to get used to being gentle with the brakes, which driving on a keyboard means tapping them, and using to gears to help slowing the car. I had much more confidence with the Connaught, so that was the chosen one. At Grenzlandring and Monza I couldn't notice this freature because of the totally different aspect of the track, with their long straight and less braking.
After 6th on the grid, I lost a place to Phil but managed to recover it on the first laps after a battle with Farina, also. Back to 6th, then I found my pace and was chasing Farina, who was speeding up his pace every lap. So we got closer to Fulvio and Bastian, who were battling for 3rd.
Bastian had some hard luck and retired. Right after that, Farina and Fulvio had a spin and I was surprisingly promoted to 3rd, which obviously didn't last very long, once Farina's speed was much quicker than mine. My Connaught was no match for his Lancia on the back straight.
My only serious mistake was on the second half of the race, when I went too wide on the last corner and crashed on the stands. I was extremely lucky not to lose a wheel or destroy my car. But I stopped with half of my car on the track and half outside. Fulvio came and Iguess he managed to avoid me, but he also spun. Sorry for scaring you, Fulvio. I decided to stay where I was instead of having a risky return to the track.
Still 4th, but now Farina a long way ahead of me, my only goal was to finish the race without any other mistake. Then I saw that Greg had been out when his name dropped on pribluda. Hard luck, mate. You really had the race on our hands and deserved the win
One of my luckiest podiums ever in GPL. Without Bastian and Greg's retirements, and without Fulvio's spin, I should have ended the way I started: 6th. But I was so happy to manage to find a nice race pace and quickly adapt this new driving style. It certainly brings a whole new approach to my GPL experience, being much more cautious rather than aggressive.
Congrats Clive, for the great win! Farina, for the podium. And to everyone who managed to finish!
See ya next race!