The Grid.co.uk    the national & club motor racing website - est1998          

  ^News

RACE RESULTS

Race 1:

Devaney: 12^th, +33.478s

Guerrieri: 13^th, +34.836s

Race 2:

Devaney: Retired

Guerrieri: 4^th, +17.127s

 E mail the editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk with news

ULTIMATE MOTORSPORT

ULTIMATE FINISH SO CLOSE AT ROCKINGHAM

Argentine Esteban Guerrieri was running third in the final race of the year but missed out on the podium finish the team were so desperately seeking when Sebastien Hohenthal overtook him in controversial circumstances midway through the race, leaving the Ultimate driver to pick up an equal-best fourth place finish.

Team owner Barry Walsh said: "It was so nearly the perfect end to a great season in British F3. We were so close to getting that podium but overall I think we can say we did a bloody good job this season. Everyone in the team needs a massive pat on the back - and a few beers. It's been good craic and we are all off for a party! Then we're looking forward to the next step on Ultimate's agenda. We have some pretty big plans, so watch this space."

Team manager Jonny Ostrowski said: "We came here with high expectations so I have to admit that we are a little dissapointed to come away with P4, equalling our best result. Esteban was holding P3 but the race had a long way to go and unfortunately Seb got by.

"On reflection it has been an exceptional season for us. When we started last December we didn't have anyone on the team with F3 experience, we have had to grow very quickly as a team and I think we have done a pretty good job. I need to thank Mick and Esteban for all their hard work and patience over the course of the season.

"Thanks also to everyone on the team. They all knew the standards they needed to achieve and they have certainly done that! We also need to thank everyone at Mygale for what they have done in their first season in F3 - we both knew it would be tough and it certainly was!

"Thanks also to HWA for providing excellent trackside support, they really were part of the team! Of course none of this would have been possible if it wasn't for Barry. He had the vision and the passion to go out and do it so a big thank you to him for never saying no!"

In a difficult opening race of the day, Guerrieri, who spun in qualifying, started from 25 ^th on the grid but made up 10 places on the opening lap while Michael Devaney moved from 18^th to 12^th. Guerrieri climbed two more places on lap two then held 13^th behind Devaney to the end.

The second race had a more encouraging start with Guerrieri storming from seventh on the grid to fourth while Devaney climbed from 14 ^th to eighth. As Devaney dropped away to eventual retirement with brake problems, Guerrieri moved up to third when a car in front was penalised for a jump start.

The Argentine driver absorbed the pressure from Hohenthal for several laps before making a small mistake and allowing his rival to close in and pass at the oval banking on the first corner. Hohenthal dropped over the white line to pass but unfortunately he got away without having to do a drive through.

Guerrieri said: "The first race the car was good and my start was great. I passed loads of slow cars on the opening lap and got a good rhythm. For the first few laps the car was really handling well but then the degradation in the tyres began and I couldn't push, so we just ran the rest of the race.

"The second race I had another very good start and made it up to fourth from seventh, then climbed to third. The car was much better in this race and I was comfortable in third, but then I hit a bit of a dirty patch in a fast corner in the middle of the circuit and Hohenthal closed on me.

"He was right on my ass coming onto the line and then he went down on the inside of the first corner. He went under the white line that we were told not to go over during the drivers' briefing and made it past me. It was totally wrong, and we should have got that podium. Instead, I got fourth."

Devaney said: "I can't really say much. To sum it up in one word - sh*te. To be honest, it was a pretty crap weekend from start to finish. I had a good start in race one, but that was about it. The car wouldn't brake hard into the corners, it made it tough in the first race and impossible in the second.

"It was a shame to finish such a great season in that way, but I think everyone in the team can definitely look back and say we have done a great job. We have come up the grid and got in some good results against generally a strong field – although I do think Grubmuller and Mansell should go take up doubles tennis!"

Ultimate comeback from crash to double points

Ultimate Motorsport scored two top-ten finishes in the penultimate round of the British F3 International Series on Sunday when Esteban Guerrieri fought back form a heavy crash to match Michael Devaney's opening race points haul at Croft.

In a tough weekend for the team, still chasing an elusive podium from their debut season, Irishman Devaney finished the opening race in seventh after Argentine Guerrieri crashed out of sixth when he hit Sebastien Hohenthal's car at high speed and flew backwards into the barriers late in the race.

The car was badly damaged but the team worked hard to repair it during the few hours before the second race and Guerrieri rewarded their efforts by claiming seventh. Devaney, meanwhile, was forced to retire from that race after handling problems left him unable to drive the car competitively.

Team manager Jonny Ostrowski said: "You could say these races were a reflection of qualifying – a mix of good and unfortunate! Esteban was closing on Seb on the re start of race one following the deployment of the safety car but was caught out and hit the back of Seb's car taking them both out of the race. It was a pity as he was looking good for sixth place. The damaged car was delivered back to the garage extremely late which immediately put the guys under pressure to prep it for race two. Early in that first race it became evident that we had not sorted problems with Mick's car. We need to get to the bottom of this very soon! Considering that the car was almost undriveable, Mick did a great job by getting P7.

"In race two Esteban did not manage to get one of his usually good starts, but he still made places. This was a tough race, though, and we are happy he managed to finish in P7. Mick, however, was realy struggling with the handling of the car and we decided he should retire from the race. As ever we will re-group and make the necessary preperations for the last race at Rockingham."

Guerrieri said: "The first race I was P6 and I should have finished there. I was getting oversteer but when the safety car came out the rear tyres cooled and I had a bit more grip so I pushed to overtake Hohenthal. It was very close and he defended the position. It looked like he braked earlier and I hit him in the back at high speed. I spun and hit with the rear in the tyres, the car was pretty damaged, the bodywork, brake system, rear wing, front wing. I was amazed that the guys were able to get it ready in time for the second race!

"Race two was quite tough because although I had a good start (Stephen) Jelley started quite badly in front of me and I had to avoid him so I lost some time so couldn't get many places. The car was feeling good and I was catching Mansell. I tried a couple of times to overtake but then after six or seven laps it got difficult to drive, more oversteer, so I just followed a rhythm and finished behind Mansell. After such a big crash, the car had no mechanical problems and it was fine, so that was good. Really well done by the mechanics."

Devaney said: "The first race was quite good, the second race was rubbish! I made a good start in the first one, overtook two cars and one fell off, but then I hit Esteban's debris and damaged my steering. The car just went to the left, it was a nightmare and it was one of the hardest races I have ever driven! We got a few points, so that was a good result. It was a shame we couldn't do the same in second race. I dropped back straight away, I was really off the pace, locking up everywhere and I was on the grass five times. There was no point staying out looking like a tosser, so I decided to come in. The guys changed a few things overnight but can't see anything wrong. We need to get it sorted for Rockingham."

ULTIMATE MATCH BEST EVER IN SILVERSTONE HOMECOMING

Irish driver Michael Devaney put his Mygale-Mercedes machine in third on the grid for the second race of the day and finished just 3.320 seconds off the podium in fourth – equalling his and the team's best result but leaving them still searching for their maiden podium.  

Devaney scored a double points finish, having claimed eighth in the opening race of the day, while Esteban Guerrieri had a frustrating weekend that saw him put in some inspiring early race performances to fight back from low grid spots only to miss out on points as he finished the two races 13 ^th and 11th. 

Team Owner Barry Walsh said: "It was great to come here to Silverstone and show how far we have come this year. Third on the grid was by far our best qualifying result and Mick was able to keep the pace with the leaders in the race. Both he and Esteban did a great job this weekend.  

"That's great – but it's gettting frustrating not getting on that podium now! We will do it, and it may be a bit strange to say but it is encouraging to see everyone a little bit disappointed with the result because it shows what we all are expecting at every race now.

"We know we are closing in on finding the pace we need and the team is working hard to make it happen. There is still development potential in the Mygale and we keep showing that by making steps forward. This was our best performance yet, and we are hoping for even better next time at Thruxton."  

In the first race, Guerrieri made a flying start from 14^th on the grid to climb to seventh by the end of the opening lap, with Devaney holding station in ninth. After a brief safety car period Guerrieri gained two more places to reach fifth place while Devaney dropped to 10 ^th. 

It was all change on lap 11, when Guerrieri came under serious pressure from the cars behind – including Devaney - and dropped to 10^th with Devaney making it up to seventh in an exciting multi-car battle. Guerrieri then slowly dropped back, while Devaney dropped behind Niall Breen on the last lap to finish eighth.  

In the second race, Devaney slipped from third to fifth after a disappointing start from a dirty part of the grid but he climbed back to fourth at the second corner on lap two. He kept pace with the leaders, setting his fastest lap just three tenths slower than race winner Marko Asmer, but dropped back towards the end.  

Guerrieri, meanwhile, made another fantastic start as he climbed up from 20^th to 17^th after the first sector and then moved up three more places to 14^th by the end of lap one. With an improved car he picked off two more drivers ahead of him to finish 11th

Devaney said: "It has been a good weekend all round. It is disappointing we still have not got that podium, but the pace is here now and we have proved we can qualify well – which makes all the difference. The first race was a good one to get a few more points in the bag but the second one was what it was all about.  

"So when I lined up on the grid and saw the crap on my tyres, I thought b*llocks! Everyone else had clean tyres, so I knew what was going to happen. I had a terrible start and dropped two places, but I made it back up to fourth and held the pace. If we had got the start, it could well have been a podium. Next time."  

Guerrieri said: "I had a fantastic start to race one and we were flying, up to fifth after the safety car. But as the race went on the car became more and more difficult to drive and I could not avoid dropping back through the field.  

"We worked on it for the second race and it was much better. I did all I could from 20^th but it was a battle and I couldn't quite make it up into the points-scoring positions. For some reason we could not find the pace in my car, but we will strip the car down now, find out and be back ready for Thruxton."   

ULTIMATE COMPLETE CHALLENGING MASTERS DEBUT 

The British team, based in Northamptonshire, had expected to build on the increasing potential of their French-build Mygale chassis but found themselves having to withdraw one of their cars and replace it with a loaned Dallara chassis.  

It was a hard weekend for the team, who worked overnight to prepare the new machine only to see Devaney knocked into retirement two laps in, but there was reward for team-mate Esteban Guerrieri as he ran most of his race as the second of the British teams before dropping down the order to finish 18th.  

Team manager Jonny Ostrowski said: "It was good to come here straight from Spa and take part in the Masters for the first time. Competing against the best teams in Europe is not an easy task. 

"We found ourselves in an awkward position on Friday night that resulted in us having to withdraw one of our Mygale cars. We had an option to borrow a Dallara car from Carlin and with the aim of putting Mick in the race we went for it! I would like to thank all of the team principles for their sporting gesture by signing the agreement document that allowed us to make the chassis change and everyone at Carlin for the car and their advice and assistance.  

"The down side is that we all had to work through the night, giving up wasn't an option. It is a shame that Mick was involved in a racing incident on lap two and was unable to continue in the race. We came away from Zolder not only with an 'all-nighter' but also a great sense of having pushed to the maximum and a job well done, it really was a credit to the whole team.  

"Esteban had a tough qualifying but made a storming start and by lap two he was running just behind Marco Asmer, who was the highest placed driver from the British F3 International series. For most of the race he was 'P2' of the British cars, but ultimately he succumbed to some intense pressure and finished 'P4' of the British category."  

Devaney, who had limited time to get used to his Dallara chassis before qualifying, started the race from 32nd on the grid and was hit by Jelley in the last corner of lap two, which caused radiator damage on his car and forced his retirement from the race.  

Guerrieri started in 21st, promoted a place after Sam Bird took a 10 place grid penalty for an engine change, and by the end of lap two he was up to 12th. He defended his position from Arte Mustonen for most of the race, but dropped to 18th after running wide.  

Guerrieri said: "It was not bad, but could have been better. We had a really challenging weekend as a team and once again we showed how well we can cope with that kind of pressure. I had a great start and we were running really well, but Arte was pushing hard for the entire race and we could not quite hold on." Devaney added: "It has been a long weekend for all of us and I really have to thank the team for all their effort. I was faced with not taking any further part in the weekend after Friday's running. The team could have left it at that, but they chose not to take the easy option and did a great job. 

"It was an unbelievable achievement to get into qualifying and to get onto that grid, so it was a shame we could not do more with it, through no fault of our own. We are now looking forward to Silverstone."   

TOUGH BUT PROMISING TIME FOR ULTIMATE AT WET SPA

ULTIMATE MOTORSPORT LEFT SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS WITH UNFULFILLED POTENTIAL AFTER BRAKE PROBLEMS AND A FARCICAL SECOND RACE HAMPERED THEIR PROGRESS IN THE SEVENTH ROUND OF THE BRITISH F3 INTERNATIONAL SERIES THIS WEEKEND.

The team had hoped to make the most of recent modifications to their Mygale-Mercedes machines and while the performance improvements were there to see in the pace of the two cars in both dry and wet conditions they took home just a single points finish from what had looked like being a promising weekend.  

Argentine Esteban Guerrieri finished eighth having run as high as fifth in the dry race on Friday while Irishman Michael Devaney finished 11 ^th as both cars suffered brake problems. But the team were left frustrated in race two as a number of situations played against them. 

The race was started behind the safety car, which neutralised the start advantage the Mygale cars appear to have, and only three full racing laps were run before the safety car returned while the organisers spent the remainder of the race retrieving one car from the top of Eau Rouge.  

Team manager Jonny Ostrowski said: "Overall we have to take the positives from this weekend and while the results were not there the pace definitely was. Both cars performed very well in wet and dry conditions and if we can get to the bottom of why we struggle in qualifying we will be chasing podium finishes.  

"The first race was okay but the second was ridiculous, a complete waste of time. We were faster than a lot of the cars out there in those conditions and we could have really done something, but the organisers only allowed us to race for three full laps. 

"Starting behind the safety car harmed us. I'm not sure it was necessary but I am not the one who has to take that decision. It's a great shame for all of us to have come to Spa, one of, if not the best circuit there is, and for that to happen. I'm sure the whole paddock feels the same."  

Team owner Barry Walsh added: "It is great to come to Spa, but it has been a frustrating weekend. We were not allowed to show our true pace in the second race but we know where we are and when you consider it is only just five months since we first tested as a team, we are going very well!"  

In the first race, Guerrieri moved from 10 ^th to fifth at the start then sat in that position for most of the race before suffering a late brake failure and dropping back to eighth. Devaney started that race from 18th and moved to tenth on the first lap only for brake problems to slow his pace and drop him out of the points.  

The second race had two laps behind the safety car before three full racing laps, during which time Guerrieri managed to climb from 13 ^th on the grid to ninth. But the return of the safety car halted his climb before a fuel pressure problem put an end to his race, while Devaney managed to finish 12th. 

Guerrieri said: "In the first race, I got another fantastic start to move up to fourth, then I dropped to sixth and when the tyres got to temperature I got back to fifth. I was closing in on the guys in front really fast towards the end but then the brakes went and there was nothing I could do. We were fast in the wet for the second race, so it was a shame that we could not have more time at racing pace."

Devaney said: "I made a fantastic start to get up to ninth in race one, but then I had the usual brake problems again and the rear tyres degraded quickly, so I could not keep the pace. The car felt pretty good in the second race and we were a lot quicker than the rest, but it was impossible to overtake. A waste of a day."  

ULTIMATE IN POINTS BUT STILL SEEKING IMPROVEMENTS 

ULTIMATE MOTORSPORT FINISHED IN THE POINTS IN THE FIRST OF TWO BRITISH F3 INTERNATIONAL SERIES RACES AT SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS THIS WEEKEND BUT STRUGGLED TO FIND THE BENEFIT FROM MODIFICATIONS TO THEIR MYGALE-MERCEDES MACHINES.

The team's cars received an upgrade from French manufacturers Mygale ahead of this weekend's race and the new parts were expected to help their quest for an elusive podium finish after showing marked improvements when they were tested at Pembrey last week.  

Argentine driver Esteban Guerrieri qualified in 10 ^th position for race one and made it to fifth place on the first lap. He was then taken by Mustonen, dropping to P6, then took Gonzalez to regain P5 where he sat for most of the race gradually closing in on the pack in front.  

On the penultimate lap he was within striking distance but suffered brake failure, which unfortunately resulted in an excursion from the circuit. This enabled several of the cars behind him to get by and he finished the race in eighth place.  

Irishman Michael Devaney started the race from eighteenth on the grid and by the end of a stunning first lap he was up to tenth. He then passed Frankie Cheng to take ninth, which he held for five laps until he was passed by a flying Marko Asmer and dropped back to tenth. 

Unfortunately, Devaney then suffered brake problems and excessive rear tyre degradation, which hampered his progress by two seconds per lap. That allowed the closing car of Mansell to pass him and he finished the race in 11 ^th with a best lap of two minutes and 16.34 seconds. 

Team manager Jonny Ostrowski said: "It's a shame that we can't qualify well because again both Esteban and Mick had great starts. If we were higher on the grid then we would be taking podiums ever race, and it is only a matter of time before we do.

"With each race the team gains experience and knowledge – and once again the results do not reflect what happened in the race. Sam (Bird) drove a great race and deservedly won. His best time was a 2m15.48s while Esteban, who ran as high as third, managed a 2m15.51s. 

"It's unfortunate that he had a brake failure which put him off the track and allowed cars to pass. But the positive thing is that we do have race pace and we will get there!  

"Mick also made a great start and was pushing hard but once again he suffered brake problems and struggled with rear end grip. The results, once again, don't tell the story. We look forward to race two, and as we have only had a dry track so far it's bound to be a wet one!  

"Mygale have been working hard to deliver us an upgrade so it is a shame that the improvements have not achieved the steps we had expected here this weekend. We continue to push, however, and we are closing the gap so that is encouraging. Now we all need to get together and push a little bit more!"

Guerrieri said: "Starting from 10th on the grid here we knew we needed some luck to get high into the points. I had hoped for one of our usually good starts to push me up into a strong position so I am happy I managed to get to fifth by the end of the first lap! I was pushing hard but couldn't do anything about Atte getting past me.  

"In the later stages of the race I was closing on the guys in front really fast. Then, coming into the last chicane, the brake pedal went to the floor. There was nothing I could do, I went over the kerbs and the guys came past me. It was a real shame. But we have tomorrow and we will keep pushing.    

Devaney said: "I had a great start and made it to P10 on the first lap. I then passed Frankie for 9 ^th and it was all going well. But then I started to have the brake problems, the normal knock off, and the rear tyres went away from me earlier than normal so that was a problem. Still, it was not bad from P18!"  

The weekend continues with the second race on Saturday morning, with Guerrieri starting from 13 ^th on the grid and Devaney in 15^th. The team are hoping for fewer problems and with continued race pace are confident they can again chase down that elusive podium place. 

Team owner Barry Walsh added: "When you consider it is only just five months since we first tested as a team and you look at our race pace, you have to take the positive from that! We have moved forward very quickly, and we will be continuing to push to hit the front."

BRITISH FORMULA THREE INTERNATIONAL SERIES

ULTIMATE MOTORSPORT AND MYGALE MAKE HISTORIC DEBUT 

by  taking the first ever British F3 finish for French manufacturers Mygale as their two drivers, Argentine Esteban Guerrieri and Irishman Michael Devaney, made a satisfying first showing.  

Team Owner Barry Walsh said: "It was great to see our orange and black Mygale cars out there on the grid - and what a start! It has been a challenging weekend and we have ended it with both cars reaching the chequered flag in both races.  We are pleased to have made the next step in our first season in the sport and it was exciting to see Esteban running in the points in race two. It is a shame we could not hold the position, but we have proven that points will come soon."

In the first race, both drivers had strong starts and Guerrieri was up from 16^th on the grid to 12^th by the end of lap one. Devaney cut through the pack off the line but unfortunately dropped back to 24 ^th after a mid-pack incident at the second corner.

Guerrieri ran consistently in 12^th for the rest of the race and managed to fend off a strong challenge from Walter Grubmuller despite suffering from an electrical problem which caused his car to cut out when exiting some of the corners.  Devaney tried to drive around a suspension problem but lost several laps in the pits while the team looked over the car. He returned to the track and after avoiding the spinning car of Alastair Jackson, was able to make a double finish for the team.  

The second race was re-started twice due to accidents which eliminated some of the cars on the grid. When it finally got underway Guerrieri, who started 17^th, was in 9^th , and Devaney, who started from the back, was up to 16^th by the end of lap one. 

Both cars then battled for places in the shortened race and Guerrieri finished a satisfying 11^th with Devaney holding on to 16^th to the end.

Guerrieri said: "It was a good start to the first race and the pace of the car was feeling okay. Then the safety car came out and we had a problem with the electrics, which cut the engine coming out of the corner. We were losing time through that but I managed to keep Grubmuller behind me and was happy to finish the race. We had three starts in the second race, and I improved my performance on each one I think! By the time the race got underway properly I was up to ninth and in the points, but at one point at the hairpin at the back the rear tyres locked and I almost went off. I lost control of the rear and lost a place then had dirty rear tyres on the car. I oversteered and lost one more place before I got back into a rhythm and finished 11th. We are not on the pace for regular points yet but having a bit of luck and some good starts and maybe yes we can hope for that in the next rounds."

Devaney said: "I overtook six cars off the line at the start of race one so that was pretty exciting, but then there was a bit of a mess at the second corner and all that good work came to nothing when I had to take to the grass to avoid it! The car had a suspension problem and I had to back off and we used the race for important testing laps to build up our data. The second race was carnage at the start, cars going everywhere, and we did well to avoid it all. My best starts were the two that didn't count, but we made four places up quickly in the one that did. I had a problem with the car touching the ground throughout the race, though, which made things difficult. Overall I think it was a great effort to get both cars to the finish in both races and we have learned plenty of things this weekend. I am now looking forward to taking these experiences forward to the next race."

Race results:

Race 1 (18 laps):

Guerrieri: 12^th, +29.155

Devaney: 22^nd, +4 laps

Race 2 (10 laps):

Guerrieri: 11^th, +25.292

Devaney: 16^th, +41.517