06.05.2008: Race 3: Mugello

After the German races in Hockenheim and Oschersleben with changing weather conditions, everybody was hoping for some constant nice sunny race days in Mugello.

And they were lucky! Tuscany presented itself from its most beautiful side! Nice sunshine and pleasant temperatures put everybody into good humor.

And also the Futurecom-TME drivers were on their best behavior. They showed a really strong performance in Test 2 on Friday, with Christijan doing the 13th best lap time, and Katherine on 15, leaving several 2007 cars behind them.

So hopes were up high for the Qualifying. Unfortunately on his second and last outing Christijan was blocked by Mathias Lauda on his flying lap, which cost him the necessary tenths to make it into the second qualifying. Christian ended up 16th on the grid, slightly frustrated by his misfortune.

Katherine had some problems with the tires and qualified 18th, which meant she won her first Qualifying duel against her Mercedes rival Susie Stoddart.

Then in the race, Christijan's start wasn't so good, and in turns one and three he was pushed towards the outside in traffic. When he could start fighting, again there was Mathias Lauda in front of him, which cost him a lot of time. After the second stop he was able to pass. Christijan: "After that, I was able to get away from my immediate rivals and my race wasn't bad. I'm satisfied with the good times I set." In the end Christijan finished on a hard-fought 13th place.

Katherine was struggling with some oversteer, nevertheless did constant good lap times and finished 18th.

The race was won by Jamie Green, ahead of Paul di Resta and Tom Kristensen.

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