I just ran a 100% distance race at Silverstone. What follows is
absolutely true...
Qualified second as Hill, Schumacher was on pole. Got away well, ahead
of Schumacher but Berger was faster away, and we spent the first few
laps trailing him. I broke through, Schumacher followed in same
manoeuver. Lap 19 Schumacher pitted, I too was on a 2-stopper and I
pitted lap 20. I was out about 20 secs ahead of him [he must have spun
or something] and Coulthard led, who then pitted and handed me back
the lead.
Back in front I found Schumacher and I were setting similar lap times.
Lap 38 and I was ready to pit on 39, then the red cross came across my
pit signal; my strategy clashed with team mate Coulthards!! The yellow
light replaced the cross and as I pitted I saw Coulthard leaving the
stall just in time.
Schumacher pitted too, and upon exitting we were still 20 secs
seperated.
On lap 51, coming through the Priory complex, I noticed a message on
my display: 'OIL LEAK'. It was my 1st reliability problem, but I was a
stone's throw from the pits and I waltzed in. I was fixed up in about
15 or so secs, but Schumacher was 17 secs out in front by now.
I went flat out, full hammer and started knocking huge amounts of time
off him, and I tried so hard that I spun at Copse, skidded all over at
Bridge [quite often], hit the gravel at Priory, and regularly rode the
kerbs at Maggots with my 'plank'. Lap 58 of 60 and I was 2.8 seconds
behind him, racing my heart out. I caught him after he locked up
passing a backmarker and I went through at Priory [I had visions of
'95, as I fully locked up and we almost touched wheels]. He moved over
to give me room and hit the kerb too hard, flying onto the gravel, but
soon found the track again.
For the next couple of laps he followed me closely and we crossed the
line 2.3 seconds apart.
What a race!!! I'm gonna like this game!
Gotta get back to racing...
Dave B.