Mike Conway: “I’d been stuck on 13, which was definitely unlucky for me”
Show your support.
Buzz this article up.
Sep 15, 2007
mikeconway
Top Five Finish For Conway At Spa
British single-seater ace Mike Conway stormed to a top five finish in round 18 of the GP2 Series at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on Saturday, despite starting down in 12th after a collision with championship protagonist Lucas di Grassi in qualifying.
Mike came to Spa determined to score a good result on a circuit he loves and was successful at in Formula 3 last year. He started the weekend well, running strongly in the top 10 in free practice as he drove a GP2 car at the legendary Belgian GP venue for the first time.
Qualifying was a case of what might have been. Mike had already recorded a solid lap on his first set of new tyres, but was on a flying lap on his second set when he clashed with di Grassi at the Bus Stop chicane.
“I had to brake early for the chicane anyway, because of the traffic, “ said Mike. “He went to the right, so I though he was giving me room and I went for his inside. But then he just turned in on me - he certainly wasn’t looking in his mirrors.
“It was a decent lap too, I was a good chunk up on my previous time. I was at least half a second, maybe six-tenths, up. But the collision ruined my session. I know he’s fighting for the championship, and I don’t want to mess him up, but they should have thrown his times out for that. “
With his front wing knocked off, and Mike out of the session, he had to sit and watch as his rivals were able to set faster times to demote him. He eventually fell to 12th position, but was determined to make up for it in the race.
The start was dramatic, as four cars stalled in front of Mike in close proximity, causing him to take evasive action.
“Giorgio Pantano was in front of me, and darted to the side of a car at the last second, “ said Mike. “Ho-Pin Tung was next to me, so I had to give him room, but then there was another stalled car, so I got jammed in and couldn’t attack the first corner as I’d planned to.
“Sebastien Buemi got up the inside of me, so I tried to judge Eau Rouge so I’d get a full tow off him up to Les Combes, but he got a tow off Tung, so I had no chance of passing him. “
Mike’s Super Nova International team called him in for an early pitstop, as he was losing time stuck behind Buemi, who drives for the reigning champion ART Grand Prix team. Once he rejoined, Mike jumped ahead of many cars who would pit later and rejoin well behind.
“The early pit call was to allow us to use our pace, “ said Mike. “After that, in clean air, our times were really good. Only when my front tyres went off towards the end did I lose some pace, as I was battling against understeer. It’s really hard to brake late when you know the front of the car is going to wash-out, so you just have to relax and accept the car won’t go as quickly any more. “
Mike was powerless to stop one driver, three-time 2007 winner Javier Villa, past him in the late stages, but was satisfied with his hard-earned fifth place nonetheless.
“It’s great to score points again, “ said Mike. “I’d been stuck on 13, which was definitely unlucky for me!
Now I’m off and running again, and we’ve got a great spot on the reverse grid, I’m very encouraged for tomorrow. “
After all his exertion, Mike then faced another challenge - he was randomly picked for drugs testing, as all top sportsmen are required to take these days. Mike had to drink two and a half litres of water before providing his sample: “It wasn’t easy to do with blokes watching you! “ he quipped.
The GP2 series is the final stepping stone on a drivers path to Formula One, and with the races taking place at the Grands Prix, is a showcase of their talents in front of their peers and the F1 paddock.
Conway is reigning British F3 champion and graduated to the GP2 series for this season.
The next GP2 round is tomorrow at Spa, starting at 10am, and Mike will start fourth on the grid.
