Euro F3: Mills

A frustrating event. I qualified on pole with a 1.10.2, but the server didn’t see it due to a less-than-fun laggy moment. So I got dumped into 12th spot on the grid, which was a bit crowded. Managed to avoid a messy start and was around 6th by the end of lap 1. By lap 4 or 5 I was 2nd, but Scott had too much of a lead to chase down. I got scared a few times by a certain back marker who was pottering around the track at a very slow speed, almost collected him when the car went over a bump was I approached him. Also narrowly missed being taken out when 2 cars spun in front of me at the chicane. Scary moment as one shot back across the track.

Race eventually ended when I spun over the left hand side kerb of that fast chicane when I was trying to collect the rear end. Went into the wall sideways, took the wings off and bent the suspension. For a split second I was pondering whether or not I should recover to the pits but the car wouldn’t go in a straight line and I figured it was safer to leave it there.

Disappointing all-round.

Every time I race this track I like it more and more...

Qualifying was pretty good. Had a lap record lap going but went off on the last turn, so Nick holds it for another day ;-)
The race started well enough, I was neck and neck with Matti until the kink, where I pulled ahead and infront, but he broke a bit too late and ran into the back of me. Somehow I didn't get any damage, didn't spin, and didn't run wide, so just carried on. Pulled 9 seconds on the battling pack until Dave (who started 12th) got through to second. At that point I thought I would have a fight on my hands, but he dropped back too, and eventually crashed or something. Pretty much cruised home from there.
I was hoping to celebrate my 50th win with my first R2P championship too, but turns out I need one more point! I knew that damn 0.02 in qualifying at Indy would come back to bite me... :P

Cya next time!

I had a ok car and did ok the first couple laps. But my tires went away quickly. from that point it was just keep the car on the track. I went a lap down but managed to finish in the points so ill take it.

Disappointed, was running in 4th with Massa following close behind. Into the last corner he was about to make an ambitious move and quite frankly I didn't trust him to not hit me so I took evasive measures which ended up with me spinning off all by myself and losing my front wing. Then whilst trying to rejoin the track someone else had an accident and hit me, what are the chances eh? That did some permanent suspension damage and it wasn't worth carrying on due to the suspension and how frustrated I was.

Well, what can I say. First time with the F3 and at this track so I´m very happy of the result. It could have been better though. Missed the braking a bit at first lap and ended up hitting Scott´s car at the back end. I was glad that Scott remained on the road and didn´t got any damage and suprinsingly I didn´t lose my front wing. So I carried on but spinned two times at the fast chicane. Didn´t give up and was catching Dmitry at 4th place at the end but run out of laps.

I ended up with a far better finish than expected, mostly due to attrition. Though this track is great for that!! The killer chicane....

I just couldn't get a half decent car setup going, no matter what strategy aimed for. Just too slick at the rear and no way to remove/improve that. So that was going to make it crucial to STAY WITHIN limits at all times. One slip up and the race is over at most places here! (walls)

Most of the race of note was the second half with Roberto chasing me. I could JUST hold him at bay whilst staying within my safe zone. Now and then he would catch a bit, so then I had to push that bit more to open the gap again, but I didn't want to be running any faster than my 'safe' speed. With a few laps to go and 3.0 secs to spare, I began slowing a fraction to assure safety to the end - allowing 0.2 to 0.5 sec per lap to fritter away. Except whenever you slow down to be 'safer' you get WORSE anyway! lol So that whole "bit slower and safer" process actually gave me a few of the only dangerous times I had had!

One day I am going to have to spend a LOT of time at this track to work out a good setup! Though I don't like the track much anyway - though really it is quite a good one!