FIAT Spanish Formula 3 Championship title contender Will Bratt saw hopes of
challenging for his second podium finish of the season dealt a bitter blow
during the fifth round of the campaign at Albacete this afternoon,
Saturday, 28th June, when he was served with a controversial drive-through
penalty.
However, event officials acted to serve a drive-through penalty on the
 EmiliodeVillota.com Motorsport racer during round five in response to an
accident involving Will in the pit-lane during the earlier qualifying
session.
Called into the weight-check area midway through the session,
20-year-old Will correctly complied with the request but an unfortunate incident
transpired when a race official had his foot caught under one of the car’s
wheels. Resulting in a highly unfortunate and regretful injury, the incident was
nonetheless a simple accident.
Several hours later, a retrospective decision was taken to impose a
drive-through penalty on Will during the race which totally compromised his bid
to challenge for a podium and consolidate third position in the championship
standings.
Falling to the tail of the field following the penalty, the British Racing
Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star showed great speed, tenacity and determination
to climb from 21st position to 13th place at the chequered flag on a track known
for its overtaking difficulty. He also posted the third fastest lap of the race
with a time of 1m 25.791 seconds (148.506 km/h).
Will commented: “We’re all a bit confused really with the drive-through
penalty. What happened during qualifying wasn’t intentional at all, it was
purely an unfortunate and regretful accident but the officials decided before
the race to hand out a punishment to us.
“It’s frustrating as we had a great chance to be on the podium from fourth
on the grid. I did everything I could to regain as many places as possible after
the drive-through and while I was pleased with our pace and performance,
especially on a track which is as difficult to overtake on as Brands Hatch Indy,
I’m really disappointed with the outcome.”
He added: “Tomorrow we start from 13th on the grid. The aim will obviously
be to try and score some points but it will be tough. As always, we’ll do the
best we possibly can and hopefully climb back up the championship table.”
Round six of the 2008 FIAT Spanish Formula 3 Championship is timetabled to
commence at approximately 12.00 (local time) tomorrow, Sunday, 29th June, at
Albacete.
Provisional 2008 FIAT Spanish F3 Championship Driver Standings
(after Rd5):
1st Bruno Mendez, 35pts; 2nd Nelson Panciatici, 26pts;
7th Will Bratt, 21pts
|
