As the clock turned to 22.50 local time here in Norway, and the darkness outside is pitch black, one of the last planes from what I think is Amsterdam is fighting the headwind down to the nearby airport. The broadcast begun:
I turn my head, twist my will – and setting in for a long night on the computer. It’s finally race weekend, sleep is for the weak. After a tough couple of weeks otherwise, that should be nice with a aniversary with my girlfriend, but with other issues coming in from everywhere. It’s really nice to just give everything that’s shit a flying fuck And with the help of modern broadcasting technology, go to Melbourne.
Althought there have been a little cheat start, with the Indy Car season already going on a few weeks ago. This is more the real deal. Indy is cool, i love the races, i love the championship, I’ts pure fun – in the good american way. Not that have been more in the news lately.
Formula 3 Practice
As a Norwegian, I’m of course most dedicated to Martinus Stenshorne, the McLaren backed HiTech-driver in Formula 3, had a good session opening his second season, and at a point bested the timing.
When the red flag came out after Louis Sharp had to stop his Rodin, with a bit over six minutes to go. The session was naturally, not restarted. Before this, nothing really big happened. The teams seems to be confident with the cars, after the pre-season testing. And on a semi-street circuit it’s natural they don’t make the big bets on the practice. A few lock-ups, and some work for the garderen with the grass here and there. But all in all the session was without the big surprises.
The session ended with Rafael Camara posting the best time, 1.34.652. with Tim Tramnitz following a bit over to tenths behind with his 1.34.892. Mari Boya rounded off the top three, only fractions behind with 1.34.962. Stenshorne ended with a eight, 0,6 off the session best.
Althoug, the final five cars of the sheet, was all over 2 seconds behind the leader. Something who indicates that not everyone have hit the set-up they need, or the confidence needed to use the machinery to the full potential. Marianangeli worst, 3,8 secons off. Not remarkable, with a new car, on a season opener. But they have work to do before the qualification later.
Much could be said about the season opener with Australia, Japan and China. But here in Norway, that’s maybe the worst races. So for the peace at home, it’s OK to just get it done. Will be some heavy sleep deprivation these weekends, but hopefully I will surive.
Formula 2 Practice
The F2 session though, saw as I expected, a lot more action. Three red flags, and a amputated session, was bested by the now experienced Victor Martins, 1.32.587. Kush Maini 0,1 behind, and Joshua Dürksen 0,2 behind made up the top three. Of those with a actual push lap, John Bennett was worst, 1.37.178 and 4,5 seconds behind session best. Isn’t what he hoped for.
There have been issues regarding unlawful use of sensors in the pre-season test. Where several drivers have been heavily penalized.
As mentioned, there have been several issues for me the last two weeks. So I haven’t been able to get all in this, and done the preparations I wanted. Anyways, Kush Maini and Jak Crawford of DAMS, Alex Dunne and Amaury Cordeel of Rodin, as well as Trident Sami Meguetonif and Max Esterson, are reportedly getting handed ten places, in both races. Pretty much making there trip down under more of a race test than a real race. With some luck they of course could be able to gather some points, but all of these, that are known in the F2. Have a heavy burden with them from the beginning.
And they are spread around the timing sheet. So it’s not easy to speculate if the go for a good qual, and make the best of it. Or if they went for a race pace session. But with all those flags on a 45 minute session. It’s hard to tell.
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