Slightly unusual that today we have just one run on track and that is a timed free practice session that doesn't count, but will mean that everyone has had the chance for a run on the track prior to qualifying.
When I get to the track I find that Martin and Josh have turned the pile of jigsaw pieces sitting in a tray back into a gearbox, they've also bled the clutch and fettled the gear linkage - none of is sure how much difference it'll make, so I take it for a run in the wide open spaces of the enormous paddock here ... Although it is improved, I am disappointed that after all their time and effort, it still isn't great ... But there's not much more we can do now.
Mandatory drivers' briefing emphasises the quirkiness of this track, in particular the blind crests...
Time for Free Practice, 25 minute session, but it gets broken in the middle as a stranded car has to be recovered so we lose a few minutes. The gearbox is easier, I am now having trouble with second perhaps only once a lap, and then in the final three laps that we run after the red flag, I get a whole lap with no issue, and run a 2:17.1. That isn't an especially quick time, but it's just two seconds off Kim in his faster car, and he's been here twice before - that factor is the key here, track experience really counts! See the lap on YouTube herehttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IcLOHOV8TBk, and bear in mind that the camera flattens out the climbs and descents, there's a speed trap at the finish line and I'm clocked at 197kmh, obviously we need to get a 200figure!
My time puts me 14th out of the 29 cars running, 33 were entered, but sadly we lost a few with mechanical issues after Jerez, including Iain of course, and Daniele Salodini with the front engined Taraschi.
The boys fettle the car once more, tomorrow we have qualifying and race one, with a relatively short gap between.
I head back to the hotel and get a couple of hours sitting (and dozing!) by the pool in the sun!
A lovely dinner at a fish restaurant down on the beach with JP and his crew, the sole Portuguese driver in the championship and with Kim and Marie.
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