F1Career: Monza podium

Monza - onboard Patrick de Wit

The simrace in Monza (Italy) promised to be an exciting race and it was an exciting race. Even the qualification was a thrill to watch and almost too close to call. The three main contenders for the Monza-win and some drivers further down the grid were only a few thousandths apart. The smallest mistake would put you back a row, or maybe even two.

The fierce battle for pole position was won by Patrick with a laptime of 1:20.038. Later he mentioned a 1:19 was possible, but he just couldn’t get a clean lap in on time. Luckily, his lap was still good enough for pole. He was almost a tenth faster than Marco Zipoli (1:20.143), who in turn was only two thousandths faster than Giulio Bettini (1:20.145). The full grid and the official results will be available on the website of F1Career later this week.

A pole was just what Patrick needed to keep the championship and his dream to win all the races he starts alive. Unfortunately the race didn’t go as Patrick had planned as he got hit from behind by Vito Conigliaro, who tried to overtake Giulio Bettini in the second corner. Conigliaro was overanxious and tried to win the race in the first lap; he didn’t and almost sent Patrick flying.

Staying close to Zipoli, who had taken the lead, was Patrick’s only option with a damaged car. He still wanted to win and he needed the slipstream, but with Giulio Bettini close behind and attacking him, he made a mistake in Parabolica. His race for the win was over. Lapping almost a second slower than anticipated he had to do everything in his power to finish the damaged car.

In front Zipoli and Bettini continued the fight for the lead and in the end Zipoli proved to be the fastest of the two. Marco Zipoli won the race, Giulio Bettini finished second and Patrick made it to the finish and secured third place. The best result under the difficult circumstances.

After the race Patrick was furious. He wanted to win the race so badly, he couldn’t believe his bad luck. In another league Patrick had been penalized for lesser actions – racing accidents – and he feels this accident could have been avoided. Of course, race control will look into this accident and rule like always.

Tomorrow will be another day and a third place, a podium finish, is still a good result. Just not the one Patrick had hoped for. And knowing Patrick, he will do his best to show everyone what he is made of in Japan!

Keep checking this blog for more information on the F1Career Championship!