Kimi European GP - Review

by - 6/26/2012 03:36:00 p.m.


Well, it was a third time we managed to get quite close to the first place. But close is not enough. Obviously, we have the car to win races, but so far we have lacked some small things to get everything pecfectly together during the whole Grand Prix weekend.

I really enjoyed the race in Valencia. It was pure action every lap. It was a shame I’ve lost places after both starts. More or less I’m quite satisfield with the rest of the time in that long and hot race.

The Spanish June welcomed us in the most expected way. The weather was hot and humid. Just as we like it the most.

After two not that good qualifying sessions this time we had quite nice run. Everything went according to our plan until Q3. Then somehow the first set of new tyres didn’t work that well. We lost the best of the first attempt and didn’t gain the advantage we were looking for of two runs with new rubber.

P5 was still ok. We had a good start off the line, but then the first corner didn’t work out that well. I’ve got blocked by Maldonado and, instead of, gaining two places, I lost two places.

Obviously, on the street circuit, that means loosing some time while you’re stuck behind the slower cars. Step by step we came through. Then the safety car changed the race dramatically. The re-start was again a setback. I made a mistake and Hamilton got pass me.

We were much faster compared to McLaren, but there was not speed enough to attack. If I could have done it, I would have tried immediately, but we had to wait, until Hamilton’s tyres were finished and just then go pass him.
That was only three laps before the chequered flag, so it was all we could achieve. Being second felt good, but not as good as winning would have been.

Returning to the podium in Valencia after three years was nice. It was good to have a short chat with Andrea Stella, who used to my race engineer at Ferrari and congratulate him for winning the race with Alonso.

Obviously, we have a good fight with Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. It was a pity Romain had to stop, because the team could have doubled the points. Now the fight continues in Silverstone. Now it’s any time at all!

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