McLaughlin heralds "amazing" experience as Xylander reflects on "crazy" first half of season14/8/2022 "It's disappointing because we had a fast car today, but we can take heart from that and push on in Turkey." "Ah, I just really wanted to make it to the end. But I'd give an arm and a leg to do it all over again." There was contrasting emotions from the Highwind drivers after a eventful Czech Republic V-Prix for both of them. After a poor qualifying, the team's race really came alive after yet another incredible start from Thierry Xylander. He flung himself into 13th, held of Jean Mattson and went as high as into the top 10 before his pit stop - but it could have been so much more.
"We were going to take hards, like Alexander [McLaughlin, teammate]. But the set had a puncture on the way to the grid - hit a sharp kerb - so we had to go to mediums, which were worse", said Xylander, before giving a wry smile. "That's how it goes sometimes here." "I gave it my all in the first stint, flat out to the edge for some 24 laps up to the pitstop. The traffic was hard to get through afterwards, then I had a spin where I went wide, like this...", gesturing with his hands. "Even with that, maybe we could have a point if the engine didn't go, but it did so..", giving a shrug. This marks 8 races of what will be a 16 race Highwind career for Xylander, which has included a wide set of highs and lows. When asked to sum it all up, the Belgian didn't take long . "Crazy!", he laughed. "Couple of struggles - we knew that would happen after testing - but some amazing moments, like Malaysia, probably my best drive. It's weird, adjusting from Phoenix and all their shenanigans, but I've settled here quite nicely. "I do wish it wouldn't end after this season, but I'm just looking now to give it 100% for the next 8 races, get more points, leave on a high. I'm going to miss working with these guys" before smirking. "Even Ahmed's random conversations." If Xylander was circumspect, Alexander McLaughlin was the opposite - the New Zealander finally completing his first every FV weekend. Only a tenth off his teammate in quali left him 3 places behind before a poor start left him stuck towards the back. But making the hard tyres work, he found impressive pace towards the end and closed up to a train led by Johan Halvosen, before his engine bit the dust. "I was napping at the start - well not literally, but you get what I mean", he mused afterwards. "Overtaking was a pain so that put us out of the fight for a while, shame, but I'll get working on that for next time. "After the guys pitted though, man, I got to push flat out and, you know, it's so different to testing, or practice, you're just chucking everything to catch up to the next guy. Pedal to the metal stuff. Amazing, would have been better to get to the end, but still amazing." It's unknown when McLaughlin will be back in the car for a full weekend as Daniel Zientek is the team's main driver, but debutant was optimistic for the future. "I'll be back, boss has already talked to Dan and I about that. In the meantime, I've got work to do, put in the kilometres testing and hopefully give him and Thierry a better car to play with. Obviously next year is a bit unsure now, but we'll see - maybe I'll get Mitsubishi to move over to FV!" Highwind will be returning back to the track where they scored their first points next time out, at Turkey. They'll have happy memories from Nikolai Milkovich's famous 9th in the rain, but will be hoping to add to that this year.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|