Silverstone race weekend was a slightly different challenge than I’d encountered before; a 3 hour race with two stints.
I hadn’t been to test at Silverstone since the media day back in March and after learning such a lot throughout the season I used the free practise sessions just to get dialled back into the track and progressively got quicker. Qualifying was looking extremely good and the car felt planted and quick until I felt boiling water by my right leg. I had red lights flashing on the data logger which signalled to turn off and when I stepped out there was water everywhere. The engine had overheated and we later discovered to have an air bubble in the water system but the team dealt with the issue and in the 45 minute qualifying Dom managed to get out too.
I was disappointed because I had only managed 1 flying lap and I was on a mega lap before I had to pull up. Later when looking at data I found out if I had finished my lap I would have put the car on 2nd, but that’s racing!
Dominic started the race and being a long race it was about preserving tyres but not putting ourselves out of the race before half way in. Unfortunately in the first 15 minutes we were the first car with a drive through penalty dropping us back a bit further with a lot of understeer which I discovered when I jumped in.
My stint was critically about making the car finish the race so although I wanted to put quick times in and not fall too far back, the championship points were crucial. I got hit on the rear by the unsighted Mercedes as I turned into the loop which put me into a spin but I got going again and it was time to pit.
Dom’s second stint was on fresh tyres and he managed them well and put in decent times but was also hit by another car. 2 and a quarter hours flew by and it was my turn for my second stint where I needed to bring the car to the finish but not drop any more places. With some more shuffling from the final pit stops we slotted into a safe 4th place which was where we finished; a quite disappointing slot off the podium.
We had 3 excellent pit stops by Century and it was such a shame that we didn’t finish higher as I managed to secure my 2nd place in the championship as did WFR and 1st place. Dom is less safe but it is very achievable to stay in 3rd, although it does go on to Donington Park in 3 weeks.
I hope to finish the season with another podium and hopefully my first win of the season so the finale will be a race not to miss!
Until next time x
