I don't expect that too many put money down on my Maser netting a podium here at Crystal Palace. A ho-hum qualifying effort to start P9. Well... Miracles DO happen.
Bravo to Paul on a fine win and to Gaizka for keeping him honest for a worthy P2.
Off the grid, I was surprised to bounce a couple of starters straight away. Staying left, I picked up another place going into North Tower. There, Clive fell off the road and I could hardly believe that within a kilometer of the start, I was up to P4 chasing Tago. Of course, this lofty placing came with its hazards. I now had Lasse and Jorge buzzing around my tail in the Gordinis but some collisions knocked them back in the former case or eliminated them altogether in the latter. Bad luck there, fellas.
This all left me free and clear to concentrate on Tago who was driving cleanly with good pace. Only a tiny error in South Tower at mid-distance gave me the chance to slip by for P3. Tago's counter-attacks came thick and fast but he's mindful of the risks involved and was not about to throw everything into the bin with a ill-judged pass attempt. He's as solid and dependable as they come. The laps ticked off with Tago always my shadow and I just made it home to P3 with a small advantage to spare. PHEW!
I was surprised that I didn't tire much through this race. It's a short and somewhat busy lap but I did find time to take the odd sip of tea on the back straight to help keep my concentration up. I'll readily confess that my drive in qualifying and the race was nothing to be proud of. I swear that I didn't take any given corner the same twice. The tricky Ramp Bend and South Tower both had me foxed. Typically, I take Ramp Bend in 3rd gear but I bungled it so badly on one pass that I had to go down to 2nd and hope to stay off the wall. Only just made it. One thing that was a plus is learning that it was best to take Park in 3rd gear instead of 2nd. Fewer revs and more control. What is it that John Watson is fond of saying? 'Less haste, more speed.'
Those who do not learn from history will be condemned to relive its mistakes.