FIA F2

Istanbul: Racing Engineering race two report

Adam's third, aye Adam Carroll gave his Racing Engineering team something to cheer about today by bringing home another podium finish in the sprint race at the Istanbul Park circuit after challenging eventual race winner Andreas Zuber all race ...

Edited: Dec 11, 2006, 4:13 AM

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Adam's third, aye

Adam Carroll gave his Racing Engineering team something to cheer about today by bringing home another podium finish in the sprint race at the Istanbul Park circuit after challenging eventual race winner Andreas Zuber all race long for the win, while teammate Javier Villa set some of the fastest laps of the race to show the speed the team is capable of finding.

When the lights went out Adam squeezed past polesitter Xandi Negrao and looked to be easily second, but a push back from the Brazilian into turn one reverted the order. When Negrao went off into retirement a few laps later Adam was able to catch up to Zuber, and the pair battled fiercely for the top spot. Meanwhile Javi had been boxed in at the start and was forced down the grid, but was determined to fight his way back up.

With a few laps to go Adam had to concede the win with his tyres well past their best, but looked certain to claim second until the very last lap of the race when Lewis Hamilton came from nowhere to steal the position into the final complex of corners. Javi, meanwhile, was able to run fast everywhere after he got by three drivers and found some clean air. Unfortunately by then it was too late, and he finished sixteenth in the race.

Back in the paddock, team principal Alfonso de Orleans Borbon noted: I am vastly excited about Adam's podium, although it's a pity because I think he could have had the win if he hadn't been held up by Negrao at the beginning: by the time he caught up to Zuber his tyres were a bit shagged! It was difficult for him but he drove an amazing race, and the only surprising thing was rocket ship Lewis: even Adam was surprised at how fast he was! I think we're finally on the pace, and Adam is happy, although he would have liked to hold on to second. Javi did a good job, although he got caged in at the beginning, but later he had all of the fastest sectors, so the car was obviously well set up. If we put that set up on for Monza hopefully we can get him into the points at the next race. Everyone did a good job, and there were no problems with the cars: we've gained two places in the team championship, and Adam has moved up as well, so it was pretty good."

A slightly disappointed Adam Carroll stated: It was another tough race: Zuber was good, he drove very well and didn't make any mistakes, and I was pushing as hard as I could. Obviously third is a good finish and it means more points for the team, but I'm pretty disappointed that I lost second in the last complex of corners: when I looked in my mirror I said there is no way Hamilton can come up from where he was, so I just concentrated on getting the braking right for the final complex, but he came up and just destroyed me. Obviously if I thought he could overtake from there I would have defended, but I didn't think he could do it from that far back. My car ran well, there were no problems with it, but unfortunately I couldn't hold onto second."

A tranquil looking Javier Villa later added: I think that the race was good, but it was difficult because the car is really different today from yesterday, and I was a bit slow in the first corner because of the other drivers. But still I could overtake three people later, and then I could push and do some really good times. I think I had one of the fastest laps, and I finished sixteenth: the car is different, but with a little work I think in Monza we will be really fast."

-credit: re

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