A weekend that had started well for ERT had a disappointing end, with lackluster results and struggles with pace.
At the beginning of the weekend, the pace from the Silverstone-Shanghai team looked promising. Sergio Sette Câmara setting the second fastest time in the first practice session.
This optimism followed ERT into qualifying, where Sette Câmara equaled the team’s best result starting 4th. Though Dan Ticktum was slightly more unlucky in qualifying, he was only 15 hundredths off of making it into the duel stage. Starting 12th.
However, for both ERT drivers, the race on Saturday was an eventful affair.
During the opening laps, Sette Câmara had continued to battle in the top six.
Then, after losing places in a safety car restart the Brazilian driver fell down places, conserving energy for the race.
The race went from bad to worse when both drivers were caught in an incident with Di Grassi sustaining damage. Sette Câmara finished 16th and Ticktum 14th.
Sunday was a new day for ERT. Sette Câmara qualified 15th and Ticktum, who replaced a gearbox and MCU started from the back.
Although the team tried to energy save and make progress but the field was tight and the best the pair could do was 13th for Sette Câmara and 17th for Ticktum.
A benefit to take from the weekend for the team is the fact they still reside 9th in the teams’ championship.
Sergio Sette Câmara: “We struggled in the races here.”
He recognised the chaos in Saturday’s race was an opportunity that unfortunately was thwarted by a puncture.
Dan Ticktum also had a similar opinion on the weekend admitting a mistake cost him a good qualifying but the “car was quite in the window.”
Team Principal, Russell O’Hagan explain his main emotion regarding the weekend was “frustration,” but acknowledged, “That’s how it goes sometimes and what we learnt this weekend will help guide us in the future.”
The team hope for a better result in Shanghai.