21/07/2007
NEWS STORY
Timo Glock (iSport International) 1st - We've had the perfect start to the weekend, especially with pole position and two points yesterday, and now the race win. In the end I saved the right front tyre because I had a big flat spot on it, and I had only that picture of Raikkonen a couple of years ago when he lost his car in the last 2 laps, so I hoped only to finish the race.
Lucas di Grassi (ART Grand Prix) 2nd - I think iSport did a great job, and also Timo, so they deserve the win at Timo's home track, and I'm happy now to have ten points back to third for the championship, and tomorrow I start in front of Timo, so if I repeat the start I did today it should be a great race.
Kazuki Nakajima (DAMS) 3rd - From the middle to the end of the race it was a bit difficult because we had some oversteer, but compared to Timo and di Grassi the race pace was competitive, and to the others behind it was much better, so I think we are going the right way and we have to keep pushing to get another step on the podium.
Kohei Hirate (Trident Racing) 5th - I made a good start, that allowed me to move up 5 positions: the outside line I chose at the first corner paid off, avoiding any contact. We opted for a late pit-stop strategy, so I was even able to push while leading, and, thanks to a very driveable car, reach my team-mate after the pit-lane exit. At that point, I closed up on Pantano, but the race ended when I caught his slipstream. I'm glad I finally managed to score a points finish and clinch a good spot for tomorrow.
Pastor Maldonado (Trident Racing) 6th - What a start! Right after takeoff I found a hole in the field, passing four cars at the fist corner. Then, during the first lap I also moved on Pantano, finding myself in 3rd, but just couldn't keep the rythm imposed by Di Grassi and Glock. In the final stages I had a tire problem, being forced to slow down to make it to the end. Sixth place is a great result, that allowed me to earn valuable points in standings.
Javier Villa (Racing Engineering) 8th - The race was very good and I pushed really hard in the first part. As the race progressed it became more difficult as the car wasn't handling as well as I wanted. I will be starting from pole tomorrow and the first lap will be very important, I need to make a good start and then push as hard as possible.
Ernesto Viso (Racing Engineering) 14th - That was a tough race, I passed one or two cars at the start but the car became difficult to drive as I was suffering from "long" brake and clutch pedals . The handling wasn't right with understeer into a corner and oversteer on the exit but I did my best and we are still developing the car. I lost 6th gear towards the end of the race and it cost me some places at the finish.
Bruno Senna (Arden International) 15th - My start was okay but I could have gained a few more positions if it wasn't for the mayhem at the first corner. People were spinning and I was on the inside so I just gave up and moved to the outside. The car was also working okay, definitely better than qualifying and our strategy was good, but then we had the drive through penalty, which wasn't fair in my view, but it's gone now. Unfortunately it meant I didn't have a shot at getting the pole position for tomorrow. I'm more comfortable in the car now though, so hopefully tomorrow I can score some points.
Jason Tahinci (FMS International) 17th - The race started off really well, I did a mega start and passed quite a few cars. I was on the inside braking into the first corner but there were cars in front tangling up and I touched them from behind. I really thought there was damage to the car because it wasn't behaving the best, but I drove around it and managed to get a rhythm. I had a good fight with Glock, but he was on fresh tyres and I was on older and I think I could have kept him behind for longer had I also been on fresh tyres. I was doing a good job defending but I began to lose time, so I decided to go in for the pitstop. I changed four tyres which takes longer, I was quite fast after that but as I started to catch the group of cars in front I spun into the chicane. After that I had to get myself together, I was pushing every lap but coming to the finish I spun again coming into the last corner but unfortunately I stalled. I'm starting 17th tomorrow which is on the clean side so I'm reasonably happy, so tomorrow should be a better race.
Mike Conway (Super Nova International) 18th - I stalled on the grid, so it was then just a case of trying for fastest lap…and avoiding getting in anyone's way. So initially while I was amongst cars I held back, passing when it safe to do so. I made a little mistake on turn one, pushing too hard, but all in all I'm happy to have got the point.
Andy Soucek (DPR) DNF - "We had our best qualifying for the Feature race so that's a positive. However, it's a shame that we had brake problems which developed as the race progressed, so my pace dropped off until I finally had to pit. It's a step forward to be close to the top ten in qualifying and the car was good in the first stint, so although we have a tough task ahead for tomorrow, I'm looking forward to it.
Adam Carroll (FMS International) DNF - We took an aggressive strategy by pitting so early because it's so hard to overtake around here, but unfortunately it didn't work out for us and we didn't have the balance today to make the tyres last, so I just didn't have the pace. The move Bruno made was not a good one, and he has put me in a really bad position for tomorrow's race because now I will start from 22nd. We're all a bit disappointed because we thought we could be strong here, we have some work to do with the car and understand everything a bit better but hopefully we can turn things around and improve the car and have a strong race tomorrow.
Christian Bakkerud (DPR) DNF - There's not much to say about this weekend. Starting from the back my aim was to finish as far forward as possible to get a good a start for tomorrow, but through no fault of DPR or myself, that's not going to be the case.
Luca Filippi (Super Nova International) DNF - I'm really frustrated & angry. I had such a good start moving up several places. The car felt so good…like a rocket! I believe we would have definitely been fighting for the front today. It's going to be tough starting second from last, but anything is possible!
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