Formula V8 3.5Interviews

Tom Dillmann: “It’s a shame we only took twelve points”

1 Mins read
Tom Dillmann - Credit: Formula V8 3.5

Tom Dillmann extended his Formula V8 3.5 championship lead to 33 points over Louis Deletraz despite being forced to settle for fourth in race one at Silverstone on Saturday.

The French AVF driver believed that he should have taken pole position but was unable to do any better than fourth on the grid, but remained confident of a good result, only to find himself fighting for the lower reaches of the podium.

Dillmann pinpointed the moment when his race appeared to unravel, as rival Matthieu Vaxiviere ran off course at turn eleven and rather than joining the track at the correct point, rejoined ahead of the Frenchman, which put him under attack from Rene Binder.

“I think we had the pace for the pole this morning but it was a matter of putting the lap together,” said Dillmann to The Checkered Flag. “We made some changes on the car this weekend and we’ve had to adapt every session because we are tweaking.

“I was looking confident for the race but for me the turning point was when Vaxiviere rejoined illegally the track in turn 11 when he went off.  I had to battle with him and then Binder could catch me, and instead of gaining one [position] I lost one.

“I got the radio call that he had to let me passed, and I was waiting, but then Binder passed me, so that for us was the turnaround because it would have been a P2 otherwise. Between Vaxiviere, Binder and me, I think Binder and I were faster than Vaxiviere but not enough to overtake so it stayed like that. 

“It’s a shame we only took twelve points but for the championship it’s not a bad day, but it could have been better.”

Dillmann is aiming for pole position and the win during Sunday’s second race at Silverstone, feeling the pace is there in the AVF car to do just that.

“Tomorrow we need to do the pole as I think we have the pace for it,” insisted Dillmann.  “The goal will be to get the pole and then win.”

13769 posts

About author
Long time motorsport fanatic, covering Formula 1 and the occassional other series. Feel free to give him a follow on Twitter at @Paul11MSport.
Articles
Related posts
DakarInterviews

INTERVIEW: Alex Scheuerell breaks down Polaris' 2024 Dakar challenger

5 Mins read
Alex Scheuerell, technical director for Polaris Factory Racing, spoke with The Checkered Flag as his team’s Polaris RZR Pro R Factory takes on the Dakar Rally with Xavier de Soultrait and Florent Vayssade for Sébastien Loeb Racing.
DakarInterviewsWorld Rally-Raid Championship

INTERVIEW: Austin Jones discusses "really hard" T3 championship battle

5 Mins read
From Morocco, twice-reigning Dakar Rally winner Austin Jones had a quick word with The Checkered Flag about his World Rally-Raid Championship T3 pursuit and the 2024 season.
DakarInterviewsWorld Rally-Raid Championship

INTERVIEW: Joao Ferreira "really, really looking forward" to new life at Can-Am

10 Mins read
João Ferreira, now at South Racing Can-Am for the 2024 Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship, sat down with The Checkered Flag to discuss his new home and upcoming T4 title pursuit.