NO REGRETS!
5 Feature Races in F2 without points. 7 race weekends without the chrome-plated 18 points on average, which statistically is needed to win this year's F2 title. It is against all logic that Vesti is still in the fight for the F2 Championship with only one race weekend left in Abu Dhabi. Nevertheless that's exactly the case with Vesti and that's because he's the driver with the most wins and the most podium finishes. Respectively 5 and 8.
And yet, it is an immensely disappointed Vesti who looks back on his weekend at Monza, where he otherwise drove one of the best races of his life and probably the biggest of the year - next to his not to be forgotten, spectacular pole and victory in the streets of Monaco. A terrific Sprint Race on Saturday however just wasn't enough to make up for being prematurely taken out of the race on Sunday on the very first lap before turn 6, when Roman Stanek defensively and suddenly changed lanes and pushed Vesti into the grass. Stanek got his punishment, but for Vesti it was "game over".
From the very get-go in Sunday's Feature Race the smell of something grand - after the first 5 turns - was in the air. Vesti was flying again just like he had been in Saturday's Sprint Race - as the best starter and as the driver who had gained a total of 4 positions through the first 5 turns!
"Monza resembles that of a lottery at times. You can win here even with a bad starting position. The Safety Car being deployed several times during a race is almost a given. Personally I have won here in F3 from starting P9. This weekend we were far away in Practice from matching the quickest lap times out there.
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"It is very important in Practice to come as close to your lap times in Qualifying as possible. We were unable to collect the necessary data before our attempt at pole during Qualifying. But as always at Monza, the drivers play games with each other. Nobody wants to take the lead, as the slipstream is so strong that you can easily but unintentionally give your competitors an advantage over you when you in a sense act like "the rabbit in a Greyhound race!" In this case your competitors behind you use your slipstream to clock a faster time. We lost out on our usual two attempts on new tires to set a fast lap, as everyone waited - hence taking speed out of the whole qualifying session. I was noted as 8th fastest. We were 6 drivers within approximately 2/10 of a second of each other, that's how close it is.
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Saturday's Sprint Race was "brilliant, impressive, epic and true master class". After the race, congratulations and accolade came pouring in. Vesti dominated the race and was flawless. With a superb start from P3 and keeping his head cool, Vesti was already at the front of the field on his first lap. Maintaining the lead on a circuit with a strong slipstream is something few get away with. Unless you don't make a single mistake. Vesti managed to keep lightning-fast Victor Martins behind him and Martins stayed there for most of the race - even after the second Safety Car was deployed and which helped Martins to close the gap and get right behind Vesti's tail. After the Safety Car period ended, Vesti was able to keep Martins at bay right up until the checkered flag dropped!
"Slipstream at Monza typically gives you 7/10 of a second. I had Martins behind me constantly sometimes within 4/10 of a second. Still, I didn't doubt for a second that I could keep him there, even though it must have looked insanely close on TV. He was constantly taking tenths on me on the long straits, but I never allowed him to really challenge me.
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Sunday's quick exit left Vesti hugely disappointed and frustrated. With the feeling of being the strongest in the field and Saturday's win to prove it at a lovely sun-drenched Monza packed with fans, it became an even harder thing to bear.
"I knew I was completely on top of my game this weekend. Prema, my team - my mindset - lots of support from my personal team and a wonderful visit from my biggest sponsors: Hybel and Give Steel - everything just perfectly aligned. Two failed races at Spa and Zandvoort. It has been a tough one to swallow with my mind on the Championship. I have mentally spent a good amount of energy to put it behind me. Saturday morning however, my mind was completely clear.
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"I went into the weekend determined more than ever that I would not be leaving Monza with any regrets. It is and always will be a conscious decision. You always regret what you DON'T do. I refused to be left with the feeling of not having taken my chances and the necessary risks that follows but are paramount when you are at the top in such a competitive field and a contender to bringing home the Championship. You have to come to the realization that there is nothing to lose if you are going to drive like I did this weekend. I promised myself and my coach, John Noonan but one thing only: to show courage.
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"My mission was ruined in Sunday's race. But I still find myself strengthened by the whole ordeal. Because defeat requires self-recognition which equals maturity. Because disappointments force me to dare more - and he who dares, eventually wins!
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"I wish to send a huge congrats to my teammmate Oliver Bearman for taking a great win on Sunday!
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"I am now ready to conquer Abu Dhabi and wrap up the season on top of yet another podium. I love the view from up there! And I believe it is possible, regardless of the 24 points up to Pourchaire.
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The final race weekend remaining, will be held in Abu Dhabi together with F1 in the last weekend of November.
