North Star team principal Nick Forrest has given his thoughts on the incident between lead driver Johan Halvosen and the Excelsior of Lewis Ellington which took place during Friday practice. Halvosen, on a fast lap, was running behind Ellington, on his out-lap, as the pair approached Turn 14 leading onto the long back straight. Ellington slowed to allow Halvosen past, but appeared to catch Halvosen off guard, who ended up being launched into the air. Both cars came to rest in the gravel with significant damage, though the drivers were thankfully unharmed.
"I don't know if it's the year out that he had, or running for a less experienced team now," Forrest told gathered media after the session, concerning Ellington, "but if you're letting a car by that's on a lap, you don't slow that harshly on the racing line, and especially not through a corner. I'm at least glad both of them are okay, but he really should have known better. It's not something that Johan would or should, I think, have any reason to expect." The car was returned to the North Star pit garage following the close of practice, but according to Forrest, the repairs required are extensive. "It's a pretty substantial rebuild we have to do, unfortunately, and with the setup issues that Gabriele [García] had, it really wasn't a good session for us at all. There's an awful lot we need to do between now and Qualifying." "I do feel a little for Excelsior, I must admit," he continued. "Being a whole new team to Formula Virtual, track time is vitally important, as North Star had to learn as well. It could really set them back for the next few races or so, but for their sake I hope it doesn't, and that they're able to get the car sorted for tomorrow." "It's gonna be a long old night for ourselves, too," Forrest admitted, "but I've every faith we can have two good cars ready to go for Qualifying, and both Johan and Gabriele can get the most out of them."
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