continuous lapse

HRL Super Formula 2022 Series - Round 1 Suzuka

pic from Iker Vera / HRL Discord

I qualified 5th out of 12 runners, more than 1.5 seconds slower than the fast guys. My top speed was slower by more than 10 kph compared to the fast guys as well, so I must have been using too much wing. It was a terrible start, I immediately lost 2 or 3 positions off the line, and then I got nudged wide coming into the first corner. And so, I found myself in my customary last place going into the famous esses.

There were some erratic drivers ahead, so I made some positions back as the race went on. There was even a safety car period because of a crash or two, which bunched up the field. I was the last driver to come in for a pitstop and by that time I got up all the way to 2nd place. But the field was still pretty close to each other and when I came out of the pits, I was back again as the last runner.

I had a clear track ahead and I was able to put in a string of good laps. With some drivers ahead making mistakes and / or coming into the pits, I was able to climb up to 6th place. The field had settled in and with a few laps to go I ran wide again at the first corner, just plain driver error. I bounced over the kerb and spun into the wall. I recovered and kept my 6th place somehow, but the car got bent and I lost my rhythm. 

I was in limp home mode, and I couldn't stay ahead of the guys coming up from behind. There was a scary moment in 130R where we were three wide and I got overtaken. At the checkered flag I was in 7th place; regrettable.