0-0!!!

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Everything was in my own hands this weekend! But I got nothing out of it", Vesti concludes dryly after this year's third-last race weekend in F2.

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A tie does not exist in race terminology. Still, it is probably the term that most accurately describes the result from the just-concluded Zandvoort. A completely crazy weekend, which has hardly been seen similarly in F2 ever before. A weekend where 3 out of 4 top drivers retired and no one in the top 4 got any points at all. So a weekend totally tied, where nothing changed in the Championship. Théo Pourchaire, ART maintained his lead from Spa on the 12 points to Vesti.

Vesti was at the very front in the practice session and in a chaotic qualifying that turned out to be a "red mess". A total of 3 red flags were needed before the session was completely cancelled. Vesti was noted for a third best time, while Théo Pourchaire had no speed in the car and had to settle for P10. It was, on the other hand, a time that triggered pole for Saturday's Sprint Race due to the reversed grid for the first 10 cars and therefore an obvious opportunity for Pourchaire to distance himself further from Vesti. But it did not happen. A technical fault forced Pourchaire to start from the pit lane and thus at the back of the field when the start went.

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What was initially my competitor's advantage was suddenly turned into my chance to minimize the point gap between us. I know my own strength in rain. But Race Control chooses to cancel the race on the 3rd lap. A torrential downpour flooded the circuit, and made driving conditions horrendous. To continue out there would have been irresponsible even though any race car driver hates it when a race is cancelled.

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The very important Feature Race on Sunday where the winner can add 25 points to his account once again turned all logic upside down. Even though the rain had ceased, the track was still partially wet in spots. After a rolling start decided by Race Control, Vesti spun off in the first turn on half-cold tires. Other drivers followed and a Théo Pourchaire that unexpectedly ended up in the wall sent Vesti into the pits at a time when Vesti had regained speed in the car and managed to make up a lot of positions. The possibility of a podium was back in sight. But a totally failed pit stop with electrical equipment that didn't work, instead turned into an "artistic display" in losing two rear tires simultaneously!

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For sure we didn't look the professional drivers we see ourselves as, this weekend. No consolation that the F1 field too struggled and performed highly "unorthodox manoeuvres" out there on track just like us. "Bambi on ice" pretty much sums it up! Making two mistakes two weekends in a row is totally unacceptable. I should be making none at all. Both errors at Spa and here at Zandvoort leaves a heavy trail behind. I definitely can't take any more losses if I still want a shot at bringing home the Championship. I take full responsibility for my spinning around in the first turn hence having some fatal and derivative consequences. Yes, the pit stop went wrong as my teammate and I pitted almost at the same time. Our electric wheel gun failed when it was "my turn". It failed to reset between the two pit stops in quick succession. But if I had come out of the first turn successfully and not spun out in the start of the race, then we would not have ended up in the pits at the same time. My worst competitor crashing his car could have given me back the Championship lead.

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But Vesti does not rely on other people's bad luck.

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I am off to Monza in a few days with a total reset of my mind, where my own abilities and speed shall give me back the upper hand. Nothing else. There is only one great satisfaction, and that is to be on top of your game out there and take the win in a real fight.

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One of Vesti's most remarkable victories in his career took place precisely at Monza back in F3 in 2020, where Vesti drove from 9th place - to victory. The guy losing out to Vesti back then is well known. His name is Théo Pourchaire!