8th round of the the Porsche Carrera cup - Barcelona
Until the last two laps it looked as if the team Schnabl Engineering could travel back home from the 8th round of the Porsche Carrera Cup with another top-result, but just two laps before the chequered flag came out, Jiri Janak with a flat spot slid into the gravel. Hannes Plesse with a good performance finished the race in Barcelona on 20th rank.
"Finally the qualifying was really good for me and my team today. I am very satisfied", Jiri Janak was pleased with fourth rank after the timed practice session on Saturday.
"Early in the first part of the session I could already set a time that was sufficient to enter the second stint. We then have made some small changes on the car and so I could drive a time that was even good for second position until some minutes before the end of the session", so the Czech. "Starting from the second row in the grid, I have a real chance on a podium finish tomorrow."
On the race on Sunday the Schnabl Engineering pilot had reason to feel content only in the first half of the race, though. "I had a good start; however, later on I dropped back to fifth position. From that point on my driving style was too aggressive and with that I got a flat spotted tyre, what let me finally slid into the gravel trap", the Czech, who in the end was classified 25th says self-critically. "It’s a pity, because it could have been a real successful race today."
Also Hannes Plesse complained about problems on the 3 kilometres long short version of the Spanish GP Circuit. "I am really disappointed", so the Schnabl Engineering pilot after ranking 24th in the Qualifying on Saturday. "With my first set of tyres I have made some small mistakes.
That’s a worse matter especially on a short circuit like this one. However, with my second set of fresh tyres I all of a sudden was about one second slower than before. Later, after the session, we found out that the problem was caused by a broken antiroll bar on my Porsche."
Fortunately, the Sunday took a better course for Hannes Plesse. "Today, it went really well for me. My start was good and after that I have concentrated on taking the car to the finish line going quick but save", so the 25-year-old, who’s efforts finally were rewarded with 19th rank.
"I am satisfied with the outcome of the race. However, it’s a shame that I had bad luck again in the Qualifying. Perhaps I clinch a better starting position at the final round in Hockenheim. I am sure this would be the key for finishing the race in the range of the points."
"At least our team ended up with a disappointing Sunday here in Barcelona", team manager Sven Schnabl draws a first balance. "Until his problem with a flat spot on his tyres, Jiri Janak had a really promising race. He could have clinched a top-result today.
Hannes Plesse suffered with a broken antiroll bar on Saturday. Today he did a good job and was very quick. With a better qualifying he could have easily claimed points today", so the team manager. "Now we hope for a conciliatory end of the season at the final round in Hockenheim."
- Ralph Monschauer, also photos
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