|
No satisfaction at Snetterton |
|
|
|
|
Monday, 09 June 2008 |
|
A disappointing performance in two qualifying sessions marred by torrentialrain and red flags, left Formula 3 rookie Sam Abay with a challenging taskin Sunday's British Formula 3 races at Snetterton, from which he would haveto start from 11th for race one and 10th for race two.
"In these conditions and with so many cars on such a small circuit,qualifying was an absolute lottery today. But it's the same for everyoneand put simply, I just didn't get myself a clear run in traffic when itcounted, It puts us very much on the back foot this weekend" said theyoungster. Sunny conditions greeted the 27 drivers for race one on Sunday morning. Agreat start from 11th on the grid saw Abay gain two positions on the firstlap, forcing his way past Atte Mustonen and Jay Bridger, to move up to 9thplace and onto the tail of Marcus Ericsson. As Ericsson moved past NickTandy, a battle emerged between Tandy, Mustonen, Abay and Grubmuller for 7thplace. On lap 15, Grubmuller found a way past the Australian, dropping himto 10th. With Tandy now holding up the pursuing pack, Mustonen, Grubmullerand Abay formed a closely packed queue behind the Englishman. The groupextended their lead over the following pack, led by 11th placed Jay Bridger,as they continued to climb all over the back of Tandy, but try as theymight, no one was able to find a way past the Mygale driver. With positionsremaining unchanged until the chequered flag, Abay would claim anotherpoints finish crossing the line in 10th position, but was left far fromsatisfied with the result. "We all got bottled up behind Tandy, and creditto him he did a great job holding us off, but it was just frustrating weweren't able to find a way past, because all three of us had a lot morepace." Another good start saw abay move from 10th to 9th at the start of race 2,but his race ended almost before it began, clashing with Nick Tandy at thesecond turn on lap 1, before having to pit for a puncture. Rejoining thefield a lap down, Abay's race would turn into an extended test session. "We endured our most challenging weekend so far, all stemming from our poorqualifying. If you don't qualify well, you pay the price. This weekend wepaid the price" said a candid Abay.
|
