So the season entered its European leg with the Spanish Grand Prix at Catalunya. This track, like Bahrain, is crafted for speed, and I found it to be a great track to drive!
I was able to master the track quite quickly and began to post some pretty quick lap times, even on the hard tyre. There were no especially troubling corners (the tight turn 10 and the surprisingly quick turn 13, leading very quickly into a tight chicane, were a little tricky but also quite satisfying), and I managed to get my third pole of the season.
At the start of the race I lost out to Button, but was able to trail him quite closely, and I think it was around lap 3 (maybe 4) that I got by him.
Once in the lead I was able to push hard. I knew from practice how long both types of tyre could last and even on the hard tyre, I found myself opening up a good lead – so much so that I was able to pit and remain in the lead. On my two stints on soft tyres I was able to build up a very comfortable advantage, and even on my final stint on hard tyres, I was in control.
Yup, for the first time (with assists off), I managed to win a race!
Was this the start of something wonderful?
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