Kazim Vasiliauskas - History Maker
Lithuanian claims first international-level win for his home nation
Kazim Vasiliauskas made history at the weekend by becoming the
first Lithuanian to win an international single seater race, as he
converted pole position into a commanding victory in Imola.
The 19-year-old's race pace has been impressive all season, but
he also came of age during qualifying in Italy. His previous best
of fourth on the grid at Donington Park was completely blown away
when Kazim snatched pole for race one.
"I found a really good set-up in free practice," said
Vasiliauskas. "In qualifying I managed to find some space and I was
able to complete four laps without traffic. I kept improving and
improving, and it was great to get pole.
"I am not quite at the same level as the more experienced guys
but I am nearly there - I always speak to the Avon guys after each
session and go through all the data with my engineer. This has been
a huge part of learning as a driver and I am putting everything
into it."
After coming under intense pressure early in the race,
Vasiliauskas found his rhythm and went on to take a dominant win by
more than seven seconds. "I thought Bortolotti would be really
fast, particularly when the tyres started to go off later in the
race," commented Kazim. "He had been really quick on old tyres
during practice and qualifying so it was a surprise that he wasn't
faster.
"He put me under real pressure in the early laps but it was
easier than I thought. I just need to stop driving by looking in my
mirrors - that's where the pressure comes from. I know that I can
do it now so I need to focus on my own race."
With such a huge lead, Kazim would have been forgiven for easing
off in the final laps, but the Lithuanian even had time to set his
fastest lap of the race on the final lap. "I felt in complete
control in Imola so I was able to keep pushing until the end," he
said. "I wanted to keep learning the car and the track so I didn't
ease off once.
"I was really happy. I said in Oschersleben that I wanted to
take a win and I did it. I was only happy for around 30 minutes
though as I already wanted to focus on the next qualifying session!
I think my family were more delighted than I was - they really
enjoy coming to the events and racing is a huge part of their life.
It is great to have their support."
Vasiliauskas shared the podium with Bortolotti and Andy Soucek,
with the latter securing the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship with
third place. The newly crowned champion then went on to
win the second race on Sunday. "It was nice to have
everyone celebrating on the podium and I was really pleased for
Andy," concluded Kazim. "He is a great champion and really deserved
it this season.
"Formula Two is a great category and I think it will improve
even further next year. It is an option to come back as I will have
more experience and I will try to win the championship myself."
Kazim will now conclude the 2009 Formula Palmer Audi
Championship at both Silverstone and Snetterton before jumping back
into his F2 car for the final round in Barcelona.