Big consequence for Vesti at Spa

Cascades of water and arm wrestling with the weather gods in an attempt to control the unpredictability didn't turn out in Vesti's favor at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

A weekend that turned many things upside down for both F2 and F1 drivers and a weekend that saw both big winners - and losers. Vesti unfortunately ended up belonging to the latter category.

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We were quick in qualifying. We came out first on the track and on slicks - my team mate and I set two fast laps - before the rain started coming down. Many drivers lost out massively by not being ready and coming out late due to a bad pit position. I lost pole by 0.4 sec as the first man out. Had I not "pulled" the field as the first man out, it would have given me pole, I am sure.

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Saturday's Sprint Race was once again a classic Vesti style display in how to execute a perfect start. After a few laps, Vesti had gained 5 positions, but the car unfortunately failed to keep its initial quick pace to much dismay for the two PREMA drivers for the remaining race distance. Vesti finished 6th adding 3 points to his account.

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I went for some setup changes to my car to hopefully be able to go for the win on Sunday. On my first out lap it was suddenly game over. I spun when my right front wheel locked up on a shiny slippery track that prevented us from warming up the tires properly. I make a driving mistake - one of those that statistically will not happen again in my career. Such unfortunate circumstances surrounding my exit. It was unpredictable and had major consequences for me. I exited at the same time as Victor Martins. His car made it back to the starting grid. Mine couldn't start, so the race slipped through my fingers and ended before it had even begun.

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An incredibly disappointed and irritable Vesti is now using the 3-week mandatory summer break to build himself up for the decisive effort with only a few races left.

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If I come back with what I can and know I have in me, and if my team equally delivers its very best, then the Championship is indeed within reach. Up against a regrettable backdrop, I have been given a unique opportunity: to show that I can deliver despite hard times in a decisive moment when the pressure is greatest. I take on that challenge on a day that obviously was quite a hard blow.

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Since Monaco Vesti has lead the Championship, but has now been overtaken by Théo Pourchaire, who has created a gap and now leads with 12 points ahead of Vesti.

3 race weekends remain with Zandvoort as the first at the end of August.