Yet another victory
"In a league of its own" is what F1's official site F1.com calls Vesti's win this weekend at Silverstone in England. In the Sprint Race on Saturday, it was another superior win with a whopping 13 rare seconds down to the 2nd in the Championship - Théo Pourchaire. Unfortunately for Vesti, it did not turn out to be an overall super weekend, as he was hit from behind early in the race on Sunday after risky driving from Roy Nissany, who afterwards was handed a 10 second penalty. But for Vesti the cost was far higher: precious points for the Championship. Still, Vesti maintains the lead for the 4th weekend in a row with a total of 135 points.
However, there was also a bit of luck in the bag - during Friday's qualifying. The team and Vesti did not hit the perfect set-up from the start and with several red flags Vesti's fastest time only got him a P10. The first 10 were within only 2/10 of a second of each other. Right after Vesti set the 10th quickest time his engine gave out. It was over for Vesti, who, however, got the right to pole on Saturday due to the reverse starting order among the first 10 best qualifiers.
It was once again a wet track that challenged the field in the Sprint Race. But unlike the Red Bull Ring, where a wrong tire choice from the start cost Vesti an entire race, this time the whole field drove out on wets - and stayed on them.
"I couldn't see anything behind, so my competitors have obviously had a hard time with those in front obstructing their visibility. A rolling start due to the weather sent me off without being challenged at any point in the race. All the intense fighting went on behind me! A single safety car had no impact. I controlled the race from start to finish and enjoyed setting the many fastest lap times that were eventually beaten. We deliberately chose not to go for the fastest time at the end, even if it triggers a single point. This reduces the lead down to P2 when building up in the attempt for a fast lap. We chose to keep the big lead.
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The Feature Race on Sunday had everything worth watching!! Lots of cool overtakes, many safety cars, lots of tire changes and trips through the pits - and lots of penalties. Vesti did not take part in that fight. Again, a safety car - the first of the day - played tricks on Vesti at the most unfortunate time.
"It comes right after my pitstop, where I switch from the soft to the hard tire. I chose to pit as the first among my biggest competitors. On my out lap after the pit stop there is an accident and the safety car is deployed. Because of that my speed is reduced, while the other drivers get a "free" pitstop and change tires and thus gain a lot of seconds. But the restart after the safety car exits the track is fatal. Roy Nissany slams into me from behind, which results in a ruined front and broken steering arm. The front is replaced in the pit, but we first discover the broken steering arm upon returning to the track. It's game over!
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A more than enraged Vesti afterwards had no doubt that he would have reached the podium once again.
"I did my very best. I had a great start and a super good car. The podium was in sight. No doubt from my side. Others wanted it differently this time. I prefer to take responsibility myself if mistakes or accidents happen. My result must not depend on other people's misjudgements and lack of overview! But we must move on. Now fully focused on the next race.
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Vesti did not doubt for one second that this weekend's victory should be dedicated to his engineer - Pedro Matos, whose unusual and sublime partnership with Vesti has been of great importance to this year's results. Pedro was absent at the Silverstone weekend due to a serious illness in the family.
"All my thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Pedro and his father, Alfredo.
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Five more rounds remain of this year's Championship. The Hungaroring in Budapest will be the first of these on the weekend of July 21-23.
