As a result, the Lotus driver went away empty handed for the first time after six consecutive point scoring finishes. With light rain falling during the second race Abt proved unlucky in the tyre poker. Following a courageous change to slick tyres, his race came to an abrupt end after spinning into the gravel bed. To further compound the misery he was rammed by another car which slid off the track shortly afterwards. “By changing to slick tyres we put all our eggs in one basket for a win – it could also have paid off,” summarised Abt.
Abt was wide awake when things got serious on Saturday afternoon: to coincide with the main race, as was so often the case this season, the Kempten born racer made a storming start. From P5 on the grid he immediately moved up a place. He tried to increase the pressure on the leading trio; however his lap times were equalled by the leading trio. During this period he built up a huge cushion over the competition trailing behind him. This was all during a dry period, because for once the thick, grey clouds refrained from emptying their contents on the traditional British track.
Thanks to fourth place, Abt recorded his best result in a main race after 13th position in the opener and a pair of sixth places. Abt: “Not bad for collecting points. But I really have to start finishing higher up to keep my championship hopes alive.” The next opportunity for the driver who holds fourth place overall is in a fortnight (20-22 July) at his home race at Hockenheim.
