Budapest, August 2, 2008 Race 1
#20 Mike Conway, 6th place
#21 Ho Pin Tung, DNF
Today`s Race 1 at the Hungaroring was kind of double-faced for Trident Racing. Mike Conway took a very valuable 6th spot, at the end of an extremely hard race due to the on-track battle and to the hot weather. The British driver scored three points in the series` standings, and will be starting Race 2 from the third spot. Ho Pin Tung had a very disappointing day: the Chinese driver saw his chances to shine disappear after being hit from behind by Alvaro Parente. Trident Racing will be aiming for a strong finish on the 28-lap Race 2, scheduled for tomorrow at 10:30.
Alessio Alunni Bravi, Managing Director
"Trident Racing experienced a mix of feelings today during Race 1. Mike had a great race, reacting to an unfortunate start that cost him a couple of positions. We scheduled an early pit-stop, so we called him in sooner than possible, allowing him to push on a clean racetrack. The laptimes were great, and Mike managed to recover two spots on his main rivals.
We knew that in the end, with older tires, he might have some troubles, but the Brit managed to keep Sebastien Buemi behind and take 6th place. We`re very sorry for what happened to Ho Pin Tung.
He made a great start as usual, taking 12th place, but was hit from behind by Alvaro Partente in the opening lap, despite the yellow flags waving for a contact between Pantano and Grosjean. We`re sure the Chinese driver would have been able to fight for a really deserved points finish without that incident".
Ho Pin Tung
"I had another great start today, managing to move from 17th to 12th. During the first lap I came to turn 5 and saw the yellow flags due to the incident happened between Pantano and Grosjean. At that point, I felt an impact from behind and found myself turned around, with my car stalled.
I was hit by Parente a few seconds after the start, and I don`t know what to say: I think such manouver was really unprofessional. At that point I was in front of Sebastien Buemi, and I`m sure to have lost a concrete chance to score some extremely important championship points".
Mike Conway
"It was a tough race, really. My start was not perfect, but thanks to the good pace I kept after the early pit-stop, I was able to take a couple of spots back. In the closing stages, I have to resist on some very deteriorated tires.
I knew that any little mistake would have allowed Buemi to move on, but I stayed focused and kept 6th place. I`m now fully concentrated on Race 2: I`ll start from third, eyeing a podium finish".
- Trident Racing -
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