Photo: Red Bull
Red Bull junior Tim Tramnitz will start the Formula 3 sprint race at Monza from reversed-grid pole position but with a bittersweet feeling after feeling he had pace to qualify better.
The field was split in two groups in an attempt to sort out the traffic issues caused by drivers looking for a tow. However, it didn’t work out and most drivers in group A were penalised as a result. MP Motorsport driver Tramnitz was part of the slower group B instead, where he was sixth fastest, meaning he was 12th in the aggregate classification.
“It was a very messy session also for us,” he told Formula Scout in the paddock after the session. “Honestly, I think the car was probably the best car we’ve had all year. MP showed last year as well that the car is very strong here, so it was a bit expected that we might have a strong weekend, or a strong qualy.
“I got a bit unlucky. I had quite a big gap starting my push lap and then two drivers in front of me went off in the gravel, came back right in front of me, but I had to finish the lap because of the risk of a red flag. So I kind of spent the whole lap in the gearbox [of the car ahead] and the second lap, the red flag we thought would come didn’t come. So I couldn’t do the second lap really.
“So to qualify with one lap in the top 12 was not bad, but I think the potential was just there to be on pole. I think I improved my first sector by three tenths on my second lap and then in the end, I was just too close to the [car in] front,” he explained.
Despite the disappointment of not maximising his pace, the Red Bull junior was still able to look at the positives and reckoned that strategy will be on his side in the sprint race. Then he hopes that strong race pace can allow him to progress on Sunday.
“It’s a shame really. But I think we’re in a good position for tomorrow. Starting with new tyres, I think not a lot of people have a new tyre or two new tyres left, so it’s an advantage for us. So, yeah, of course I want to win the race tomorrow and then get up the spots in the feature race.”