Return to the Classic Spa Grand Prix Circuit

30/07/2010

Following two days for mixed weather which included bright sunshine and deluge rain the track was dry for first qualifying. The 9 am session went smoothly for the team although a session stopping red flag leaving a little over five minutes to go spoilt the final runs on new tyres for all three cars. Felipe and Carlos would line up on the fourth row for Race 1 with Daisuke disappointed to be well back on the tenth row having struggled with traffic throughout the session. Race 1 to be held over 13 laps started on a dry track and the changeable Spa weather remained kind to the drivers throughout the race. Felipe made a good start and made up one place on the opening lap, Carlos was not so lucky and was involved in a first lap accident that eliminated him on the spot with front suspension damage. The Race Director would later review the circuit CCTV footage and judge the incident to be a "racing accident". Diasuke also made a good start but was turned into a half spin that sent him to the back of the pack. He then began a strong recovery drive with a damaged car to an eventual 20th place which was poor reward for the strong drive he had made. Felipe maintained a solid pace throughout the race and in the later laps was closing on the 4th-6th place group but ran out of time to make an impression, or so it seemed! The Chequered Flag was not shown at the end of lap 13 for reasons unexplained but was belatedly shown one lap later causing confusion both in the pit road and on the track! Finally, the Race Director declared the result at the end on lap 13 and Felipe finished in 7th place on the road. This position translated into pole position for race 2 when the reverse grid lottery took place.