13.05.09 TURVEY CHARGES THROUGH FINISHING AS TOP ROOKIE AT SPA I was really looking forward to racing at Spa, as it is one of my favourite circuits, with its fast, flowing nature making it such a challenging track With two one hour test session on Friday it was crucial to make the most of this time. Although track conditions were not very good in the first session, we focused on achieving an aerodynamic balance in the car as well as reducing drag for the long straights in the first and last sector, yet having enough downforce to be quick in the middle sector. In the second test session, I was only able to complete a couple of laps as I immediately felt a problem with the steering. Unfortunately the team were unable to identify the problem during the session, but afterwards found a broken tooth in the steering rack. This was frustrating as it disrupted our test program for the session and prevented us from running on better tyres before qualifying. Despite the limited laps in testing, I was immediately towards the top of the times throughout qualifying, finishing 3rd in my group which comfortably put us through to Superpole. Although I improved my lap time in Superpole session, we ended up 9th quickest. I had expected to be further up the grid but was ahead of my team mate and the quickest rookie in the session. We seem unable to extract the most from the new tyres, so the team and I need to focus on improving in this area at future races. At the start of race one I got delayed at turn one by two cars touching in front at the first corner. However I was able to fight my way from eleventh at the end of lap one to finish 6th by the chequered flag and the first rookie position. After conserving my tyres in the early laps, I had really good race pace throughout but especially at the end when I was the quickest driver on the track. For the second race, we started 9th on the grid. I was able to make up two positions before the pit stop window opened. Unfortunately we had a slight delay with one of the rear wheels in the pit stop so lost the two positions gained beforehand. However again we had really strong pace in the race so was able to attack and overtake a number of cars into Les Combes. By the last lap, I had fought my way up to 6th and with light rain falling I began gaining quickly on the cars in front. Coming into the last chicane on the final lap, I took the opportunity to overtake on the inside and got ahead of the race one winner and championship leader. He fought back into the second part of the chicane, so to avoid contact I was forced off the track onto the extra tarmac run off but crossed the line in 5th position and top rookie after a strong race. However after the race the stewards gave me a 25 second penalty which dropped us to fourteenth position and out of the points. I was extremely disappointed as I felt this was a very harsh penalty. However I will learn from this experience to try and prevent it occurring in the future. After the setback in testing with the broken steering rack, we fought back to achieve two solid points positions with 6th in race one and 5th in race two, both times been the first rookie past the flag. We were one of the quickest in both races and used this to overtake a number of cars. However the team and I need to work hard on improving our pace on new tyres to qualify at the front. The next race is at Monaco supporting the Grand Prix which I am really excited about and looking forward too. Thorough preparation will be crucial to success on the streets. << back to news