Campos Racing’s Sean Walkinshaw just missed out on a brace of top 10 finishes in the first two rounds of the EuroFormula Open at the Nurburgring in Germany over the weekend, 3rd/4th May, with some mixed fortune in qualifying and the races hampering his points-scoring potential.
Following a consistent run during the pre-event practice, the Chipping Norton driver headed into round one qualifying confident of a slot on the first four rows of the grid but had to settle for the 11th fastest time – his lap of 1m53.516 seconds (163.262 km/h) just four tenths shy of the top six.
Dramatically, before the start of race one, it became apparent Sean’s car had a right-front puncture which obviously led to an unexpected tyre change at the last minute. When the lights went out, he made a good getaway to break into the top 10 but locked-up and ran wide losing a few positions.
Moving back into 11th place fairly quickly, Sean circulated close behind Igor Urien but just couldn’t find a way past – a developing engine issue limiting his ultimate pace and opportunities to try and pass. In the end, the Briton took the chequered flag on lap 16 just 0.8 seconds shy of 10th position.
“We should have done better in first qualifying really but 11th on the grid wasn’t all that bad”, said the 20-year-old, “In the race it was just a case of bad luck, we had to change the front-right before the race started which wasn’t great but then I made a good start, up into ninth. Unfortunately, I had a lock-up so fell back again and then we had a bit of an engine issue so 11th wasn’t bad in the end.”
Sunday morning’s round two qualifying session was compromised by some set-up changes which didn’t pay dividends, instead resulting in an uncharacteristic 17th on the grid. Moving up into 14th position on lap one, Sean continued to climb the order but was pushed wide at the chicane on the second tour and so dropped to 17th position again.
Delivering impressive race pace, the Campos racer mounted a strong and determined recovery and by lap 10 he was knocking on the door of the points-paying top 10. For the final third of the race, he tried everything to carve open a chance to pass but had to settle for 11th place once more.
“We tried something with the set-up for second qualifying but it didn’t work out, I didn’t put my best sectors together either which was a bit annoying”, commented Sean, “With the pace we know we had, I should have been seventh or eighth on the grid really.
“Starting 17th was always going to be tough but I got up into the top 12 and was then pushed wide, although fought back into 11th which was pretty good going. We were close to the points, I just couldn’t get through into the top 10. There has been some bad luck this weekend but our race pace has been really good which is very positive for the season going forward.”
Next on the calendar for the EuroFormula Open is a visit to Portimao in southern Portugal, over the weekend 7th/8th June, for rounds three and four of the season.