Former Formula 1 driver Antonio Pizzonia was naturally disappointed after seeing a potential season opening Auto GP victory go begging with a late mistake at a wet Hungaroring.
After controlling the race from the start, which was behind the safety car due to the inclement weather in Hungary, Zele Racing’s Pizzonia looked to have the race in his pocket, but made a mistake with just two laps remaining to allow Facu Regalia through to take the win, with the Brazilian feeling it was the first time he had made this kind of mistake since he was a teenager.
“I still cannot believe it,” insisted Pizzonia. “I have not made such a mistake since I was 15.
“Basically, I was convinced Facu cannot get past me, so I reduced the pace not to slide off in the finals seconds. But obviously I was too relaxed”
The other Zele Racing drivers Luis Sa Silva and Andres Mendez finished sixth and eighth on Saturday, with Team Principal Michael Zele hoping the team can make amends with a strong performance in the second race on Sunday, where Mendez will start on pole position.
“It was a very difficult race under difficult conditions,” reflected Zele. “There was basically no grip on the track. We should of course have won the race, but mistakes happen.
“It should be dry tomorrow, so we believe, we can attack even more so.”
