Lausitz: Andrea Caldarelli weekend summary

Caldarelli finds pace but bad luck continues at Lausitzring

The Formula 3 Euro Series was back running in Germany for the second round of the 2009 season, held at Lausitzring. Drivers lined-up in the infield of the high-speed oval formerly used by the American CART series. Toyota Driver Program's Andrea Caldarelli, eager to rebound after the bad start and the many technical issues suffered at Hockenheim, did a good job since practice. In qualifying though, weather started to be a factor: "The rain had stopped and I was in 5th - tells Caldarelli - with SG Formula we decided to make some set-up adjustments oriented towards a dry track situation. Unfortunately, when the job was completed and I was ready to exit pit-lane, the rain started falling again, and in the mean- time all my rivals had set faster laptimes. I found myself pushed back in 19th and there wansn't I could do at that point."

On Race 1, Caldarelli moved up to 12th at the end of lap 1 thanks to an excellent start, and started keeping a good pace. "Unfortunately, I made a mistake, passing on a wet kerb and I found myself turned around in an instant. Despite running well, I had to content with 23rd. On Race 2 I started once again to attack since the beginning, moving from Row 12 to 11th place. This time, the stewards prevented me from fighting for the top-10, as they assigned me a drive-trough penalty without explaining the reason to us. I can say this time results didn't come, but we finally saw to have a good pace, and this will definitely boost trough the next race, at the Zandvoort Master. It won't be a points-paying race, but eve- ryone that counts will be there..."

-creidt: ac