Iaconelli makes a return to the points
Brazilian battles his way to sixth position
Carlos Iaconelli was in the thick of the action during the
opening F2 race at Brands Hatch today (Saturday), taking his first
points finish since the inaugural round at Valencia,
Spain.
The Brazilian has shown front running pace throughout the
season, but he has been struck by bad luck ever since spinning out
of the points at Brno in June.
Starting from ninth on the grid in today's race, Iaconelli
quickly made his way past Sebastian Hohenthal. The Swedish
driver returned the favour on lap ten, slicing his way down the
inside of Iaconelli at Paddock Hill Bend. When Hohenthal's car
came to a halt a lap later Carlos moved back into the
points.
Not content with eighth, he then swooped around the
outside of Miloš Pavlović for seventh position.
Then Julien Jousse ran wide coming out of Surtees Corner, and
Iaconelli seized the opportunity to take a top six finish. "It is
great to be back in the points," said Iaconelli. "I have only
finished one race since Valencia, so actually it is good to just
get to the chequered flag!"
"The car felt good in the beginning but got a little trickier as
the race wore on. The safety car period helped and I had a good
spell after the restart. It was a good race - I like the track but
it really is quite difficult to learn. It is my first time here,
but now I have the confidence to push even further tomorrow."
Iaconelli will start tomorrow's second race from sixth on the
grid. "I must score points again, but I am hoping
to get on the podium," he said.