Participants: 8+4 Intermediate AI
Qualifying: P5 (Started P4)
Race: P4
Qualifying:
Run 1 Options, 1 hot lap. No time set, as I accidentally cut the final corner and invalidated my lap. Run 2 options, 1 hot lap 1:41.595. Would be moved up to P4 for race start due to a grid penalty for Crafty gun. On my in lap, benny is sideways at the bridge, but yellow flags aren't yet out...I don't see him until it's too late. I am undamaged and unpenalized, but I watch half of poor benny's wing fall off.
Race:
Lap 1 Not my best start as I accidentally hit the look back button instead of KERS and drop to P5 coming around the first turn. Two cars run wide at turn 2 and I find myself running P3. In trying to leave space for COALHILL at the bridge, I experience a traction problem and eventually lose the position to him going down the DRS straight. Coming up to turn 12, he moves back over on me and I have nowhere to go...I don't think we touch but I do some minor damage to my wing courtesy of the outside wall. I get back P3 as we go through turn 13-14. Benny is right on my tail as we cross start/finish. Benny loses it and drops back, then Crafty gun goes into the runoff at the hairpin, leaving me with a little breathing room. Lap 3-4 Battling with Earmack. Lap 5 Finally get the pass for P2 when Earmack makes a mistake and runs wide at turn 2. Lap 6 Pass Giles while he's pitted to take over P1. Lap 10 Tires are going off (I can tell by the way I'm losing time to car behind), and then I have a slide coming around turn 13. Bump the wall, but no serious wing damage. I do lose my gap over Crafty gun and Giles though, and they both get past, dropping me to P3. I have to pit at the end of the lap, and I'm concerned with how early I'm having to make the stop (5 laps early). According to original strategy my crew puts on primes and I return in P6. Lap 12 Take over P5 from benny when he hits pit lane. Lap 14 Pass Dementino while he's pitted for P4. Lap 19 Pass Van Challis while he is pitted to take P3. Lap 20 Wheel to wheel with Van Challis through turn 4-5 and he makes an excellent pass. Drop back to P4. Lap 22 Van Challis has made a mistake at turn 2 and I retake P3. Lap 29 Catch Crafty gun while he's pitted for P2. Lap 33 I've been maintaining about 5sec over Crafty gun, and am planning to pit at the end of the lap when I get a right rear tire puncture. Crafty gun goes past around turn 14, then Earmack goes past when I pit. Return in P4 on fresh primes. Lap 34 My own teammate, Grosjean AI, pulls over in front of me and slows way down...I see this and am on the brakes but can't avoid getting into the back of him and lose my front wing. Pit for a new wing and Dementino gets past. Return in P5. Lap 45 Catch Earmack while he's pitted for P4. Lap 51 My worn tires lose traction and I have a small slide at turn 4, but I'm able to get back underway without losing the position. Earmack has now closed to within 3sec. With about 4-5 laps remaining, it's going to be a battle with me on worn primes and he on options! Lap 52-56 Battle with Earmack for P4 that literally comes down to the final turn! I had opened up some space on him and was actually using mix 1 to try and nurse tires for a safe finish when I had another slide in the same spot as before. I get back underway with no damage but Earmack is literally right behind for the whole last lap, and had I not timed that move into the final turn perfectly I would not have beaten him. Finish +1 lap in P4.
The incident with Grosjean AI probably cost me the podium, or at least a real chance at it. That said this is the best race I've had for a while. I'd a say a true return to my 2011 form, and against an overall faster field. That fight with Earmack was so good, and I was very happy to bag 12pts. Can't complain!
RD F1 2012 Random Fun Series
Starts: 7
Finishes: 6
Best Grid: P2
Best Race: P2
Podiums: 1
Wins: 0
Points: 70
League table rank 4th of 15
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RD F1 2012 Club Stats
Starts: 11
Finishes: 10
Best Grid: P2
Best Race: P1
Podiums: 2
Wins: 1
Points: 109
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RD Lifetime F1 Games Club Stats
Starts: 24
Finishes: 21
Best Grid: P2
Best Race: P1
Podiums: 7
Wins: 1
Points: 244
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