Photo: Dutch Photo Agency
Friday commenced with Free practice early, with the usual 45 minute session. Unlike Round 4 where the was an additional set of new tyres allocated for the weekend, there was just the usual 3 sets of new tyres available, along with one set of used. There was a 4th set available for Round 4 as Pirelli had stipulated that only hard compound tyres could be used at Silverstone due to the high load generated from the high speed corners. As such the teams had no tyres to carry forward to this event.
Calan and the team elected to save a set of new tyres for Race 1, and therefore ran the entire practice session on a single set of used tyres. A number of other drivers used a set of new, so Calan's finishing position of P17 for the session was a strong result and a good start to the weekend.
Photo: Dutch Photo Agency
Qualifying again started reasonably well for Calan with a mid field position after the first run on new tyres. As the field completed their two preparation laps on the second set however, the session was red flagged and all returned to the pits. With the session then having 3:58 mins left on the clock it was effectively now a one lap shootout with the track improving in pace all the time.
Aiming to position for a draft Calan crossed the line following the car in front however at a distance which would turn out to be ever so slightly too close. His first sector was quick, but at the very end of the straight approaching turn 6 in the slipstream he just hit the rev limiter which unsettled the car right in the braking point. The resulting small error in oversteer cost 2 - 3 tenths of a second which in the end left him P20 as opposed to a much better result following a very good final sector.
Photo: Dutch Photo Agency
At the start of Race 1, Calan's team mate got the jump and took P20 ahead of Calan into turn 1. Hving used a new set of tyres during the practice session this meant he was now ahead on used tyres, with Calan behind and quicker on new. On lap 4 of the race Calan was in position to make an overtaking move up the inside at Stowe corner and took the opportunity. Unfortunately he was not able to complete the move cleanly and the two made contact forcing them both to retire from the race.
Whilst investigation by the stewards post race deemed the contact a "racing incident" and not directing blame at either driver, it was a very unfortunate result for the team to have both cars retire. This would be made all the more disappointing with the third car also involved in an incident and failing to finish.
"Tough race today with an incident on lap 4", said Calan.
"Starting P27 tomorrow so looking forward to a strong charge through the field!"
Photo: Dutch Photo Agency