TAPIO OUTLASTS THE CARNAGE
For the first time, we were given a fully dry Australian Grand Prix. We've come to the conclusion that we liked it being wet...
A record 10 classified finishers, of which only were 9 were still running at the end of lap 58 is how Season 3 was begun. Collisions, failures, mistakes, the race had it all.
In the end, it was Tapio Rinneaho who, in one fell swoop, vindicated his decision to leave DTK and provided redemption for a Falcon team that should have won this very race in S2. While the Finn got the trophy for the Hungarian team, the early failure of Rob Sharp's car yet again brings problems to the team.
Second place went to the local rookie Nathan Cornes. Having been hit off by childhood friend Aaron Reed, then his teammate Takuma Ishikawa, you'd be forgiven for thinking maybe he didn't want to race too much. But all the while, it seemed that the Australian was simply biding his time, and quickly made his move in the last 20 laps, taking fastest lap after fastest lap and, in time, taking everyone in front of him. One of those cars was the RD of Harry Costello, another rookie. Costello was able to get his positions early, but struggled late in the race, just holding out Joel Rautavaara at the final line, the Finn having an unspectacular race.
Tobi Kederer took 5th in his driving début, even after a large tangle with James McNamara while both were running on the podium. Defending champ Jamie Cocks made up 13 spots for points, ahead of Stephan Bohner who impressed but was successfully denied in being able to keep his higher positions. Daniel Harvey showed some speed but, similar to Bohner, only has 8th to show for it. Vimal Ana stayed out of the heavy trouble to secure 9th, while McNamara was rewarded a point even though he didn't complete the final two laps, the Australian on a charge until his retirement.
Behind, well you can't really get much from it. Really the most controversial retirement was that of Ishikawa, the Japanese driver made a move on Cornes, but only succeeded in colliding with his teammate. The resultant spin was fine until Oorjit Mishra was the unlucky driver to be left with nowhere to go, ripping off the front right wheel of Ishikawa. Likewise, the scariest retirement was definitely Rui Martins, running off at Turn 14 and destroying the entire left side of the car.
But I strongly suggest just watching the video, it was worth
Next round is from Shanghai for the first Chinese Grand Prix, marketplace closes
10am AEDT Thursday.
RDFIA Press Conference
@TTupsi A massive statement today, now where do you guys look? Are we thinking title yet?
@C0rrUpti0Nz An amazing début, and showing off the good speed of the Razor, what can we expect from here?
@Costello Much like Nathan, a great debut for you today, were you happy with your drive?
Press Paddock
@Márk Lintner A great day for Falcon, does this make up for last season?
@kedy89 How was it behind the wheel for once?
@Benutzername Regretting leaving Razor at all? 4 laps vs 2nd place...
@Takuma Ishikawa A bit of an embarrassing moment for you, made worse when you retired as a result. Cleared the air with the team yet?
@William Néron Not too bad for the first race you think?
