04/04/2009
NEWS STORY
Ocean Racing Technology - Yelmer Buurman (5th) Fabrizio Crestan (15th)
Yelmer Buurman crossed the finish line of the first race at the Sepang Circuit, in Malaysia, in a pleasing 5th position to secure the maiden points for the Ocean Racing Technology team since its creation just four short months ago. Intense heat in Malaysia made the first race at Sepang a much harder challenged than originally envisaged but despite the heat, starting eleventh on the grid Yelmer Buurman made a brilliant start which saw him move up into 6th position on the first lap.
The team performed a great pit stop and the flying Dutchman kept excellent race pace, helping him to gain another position and take the chequered flag right behind the driver in fourth place. "We knew points were in our grasp and we could have scored on several other occasions. It is a done deal now and it's proof that the team's hard work bears fruit. The start was crucial in the final result. I will start 4th on Sunday, which opens up some another opportunity. I will give my best knowing the team prepared a very competitive car which is able to give us some nice results." Yelmer Buurman said.
Meanwhile, teammate Fabrizio Crestani pushed hard from start to finish. Starting 17th, the Italian quickly moved up to 10th place and would have concluded his race in the top ten if not for a mechanical issue that was out of the team's control as his engine lost power. Fabrizio crossed the finishing line in 15th position, however he still gives a positive assessment. "I started to feel a decrease in the power in the last laps and it got worse and worse. I had no option but to try to bring the car home. Up until this point, the balance was excellent, there was no power problem and I was confident of pushing hard and overtaking other drivers, such as Giedo Ven der Garde. The race was really demanding and I know it won't be easy to move into the top 10 tomorrow, but I will still try," concluded Fabrizio Crestani.
The first race at Sepang made it possible to measure the growth of the Portuguese team despite its youth. In addition to the performance on track, which underlines great teamwork between engineers and drivers, the mechanics carried out remarkable work during the pit stops that were among the fastest in pitlane. Naturally Jose Guedes is satisfied with this result, the team director confident that this first race in Malaysia proves the growth of the Portuguese team in a competitive championship with no less than 26 participants. "We are living a very special hour for Ocean Racing Technology. We have worked hard to build this team, to make it progress and to improve our performances on track. Congratulations to Yelmer (Buurman) and to Fabrizio (Crestani) for their great races, but also a very special congratulation for my partner and also team manager, Tiago Monteiro, who could not join us today because of his SEAT Sport program in the WTCC," José Guedes said.
Back in France where he is working with SEAT Sport, Tiago Monteiro, not physically in Sepang with his team, but his thoughts were definitely with them as they benefited from his driver experience. "It's like I was there. I fully trust José Guedes and all the members of the team and we keep in touch all the time. My driving career is still a priority and I have to make some sacrifices. I was very happy at the end of the race because it proves that we're on the right track. We want more, we want to bring it even further and we have what it takes to make it happen," Tiago Monteiro said.
MY Qi-Meritus Mahara - Alvaro Parente (11th) Marco Bonanomi (DNF)
Italian Marco Bonanomi and Portuguese driver Alvaro Parente started the 34-lap race in Sepang from 10th and 22nd respectively in front of 7,000 cheering supporters - guests of the team's sponsor QuestNet.
Bonanomi retired on lap 15, but Parente finished in 11th place.
Parente was unable to exploit the fact that pole-man Jerome d'Ambrosio retired before the start, as he suffered a clutch problem and stalled the engine, dropping unexpectedly from 10th to 20th. Bonanomi had a rather good start from the back and started strong run.
The first pit stop occurred on lap six (Sakon Yamamoto and Giedo van der Garde - GFH Team iSport and, on following lap (Kamui Kobayachi - Dams) followed. The two battling My Qi-Meritus.Mahara drivers moved to 11th and 12th after one third of the race. Bonanomi climbed up to second as others pitted but was forced to retire before his own stop after suffering brake failure on the 15th lap.
Alvaro Parente: "The start almost cost me the race as I stalled on the grid and cars went by. I completed my pit stop on lap 11, but it went very slowly because the mechanics had to fix the radio which was loose in the car after the start.
In the second part I was lapping in 1.49.468 and was running 14th. It was a busy race with constant traffic that made it difficult to pass Michael Herck (DPR) and later Sakon Yamamoto. But I worked hard, lost probably two kilos because of the heat, and am happy to have finished 11th"
Marco Bonanomi: "It was a tough race. We were climbing quickly back in the classification. The 15 laps I completed were good fun, and I hope we put up a good show for QuestNet's guests. I hope I did not disappoint them, but it's a pity that I had to retire because of the brake problem. I will push again tomorrow for a good finish in race two."
Peter Thompson, team founder: "There wasn't much we could do for Marco with his brake problems. It's a pity because we very much feel that this race did not attain its goals. The drivers have a good potential. I hope that race two will bring us points."