On board video shot from Dan Collins’ car during the FIA Historic Formula One Championship race at Monza on Sunday 7th June 2009.
The audio is slightly out of sync with the video, being just ahead of the images (watch the gear changes) but that appears to be in the recorded footage and cannot be fixed, Apologies!
I was very happy with my 5th position on the grid knowing that David Abbott had somehow been attributed with the wrong time in qualifying and I expected to pass him early on.
When Joaquin had his problem at the first start, I felt even better and was sure at least a third place was on the cards but it all went wrong at the first chicane. It looks like a typical late braking error but I was on the brakes at the usual braking point for a flying lap so having started from the grid, that should have been earlier than necessary.
You can hear on the video that I must have caught the throttle as I braked and the car just drove on even as I stood on the brakes. Rowland Kinch and Bobby Verdon-Roe ahead of me also seemed to be a little cautious going into the corner but that was probably just my perception as I waited for the impact that fortunately never came.
I thought I might hit the back of Rowland so decided to make a late turn in to avoid him. That caused me to go over the kerb on the exit which is not usually a big problem but I must have just caught it wrong and the car came around before I could react. Then I had to sit there waiting for the whole grid to pass before I could rejoin.
Joaquin had started from the pit lane and caught me just as I got going again. I managed to stay with him and even had a go down the inside at Parabolica on the second lap but he is just too quick in that Brabham and eventually pulled away.
I tried to make up as many places as possible and had a scare on lap 4 when passing David Coplowe’s Lotus 87 going into Curve Grande. The usual line as you exit the chicane is to move slightly to the left of the track and then hug the right hand kerb once you have turned in. Being quite a bit faster, I decide to pass David on the outside after the chicane. He obviously didn’t realise I was that close and moved to the outside line when I was already committed. I just kept my foot in and put the two left wheels on the grass. I was amazed at how much grip there was!
I saw Bobby retiring and realised I had thrown away a potential second place at the begining. Last year the 91 turned right into the wall at Ascari and a throttle cable broke on the Classi Team Lotus type 18 while leading the Formula Junior race.
I love Monza but it doesn’t seem to love me!