The future Schumacher? Sims shines at the Hungaroring
ROOKIE motor racing sensation Alexander Sims was in high company at the weekend as he made his International Formula Masters Series debut in Hungary.
Sims – who is backed by Pinchbeck-based fruit importer JO Sims – impressed in support races to the Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring with two gritty performances.
Sims mixed with the F1 paddock having been personally invited by Alessandro Alunni Bravi, general manager of Formula Masters, to join the Talent Support Programme as a guest driver.
The 21-year-old, racing at the Hungaroring for the first time, had to race with a team that was completely new to Formula Masters in a week-old car that had previously never been tested.
Despite a series of mechanical problems in qualifying, Sims came home in both the Saturday and Sunday races in fourth place out of a field of 16.
And his performances obviously made the racing world sit up and take notice, as after his Saturday race he was interviewed by the BBC's F1 crew.
Standing in the pit lane in front of eventual Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton's paddock, Sims chatted live with presenter Jake Humphrey and former racer David Coulthard on his motor racing future.
Sims' life in the Masters Series did not get off to the best start when he found that his gearbox was not working correctly during qualifying, leaving him unable to change down as he hit the brakes.
The mechanics could not improve the system during his pitstop either, but he carried on with only gears four to six in the corners and qualified an excellent seventh.
In Saturday's race, Sims quickly moved two places up the field following the start and spent much of the rest of the race locked in a titanic battle for fourth.
His opponent, New Zealander Earl Bamber, who races in both GP2 Asia and drivers the A1GP New Zealand car, was no match for Sims though and had to settle with fifth.
On the Sunday, Sims proved his ability once again when he fought valiantly to retain fourth place despite a setback on the first corner.
His front wing was knocked off by another car, leaving him with a lack of downforce that made it extremely hard to brake and corner at full racing speed.
But he showed great nerve and maturity to keep the infuriated faster cars behind him for the rest of the race, even though his car was slow at corners.
Sims will once again test his mettle in the Masters Series after being invited back for the next meet, which takes place on Grand Prix weekend at Belgium's Spa Francorchamps, considered by many as the best course in the F1 calendar, on August 29/30.
After racing, Sims said: "I have to say a very big thank you to the International Formula Master Talent Support Programme for giving me the opportunity at the weekend.
"The team, engineer and mechanics have done a great job to get a car from new to race fit in one week.
"I am disappointed as I felt we could have won Sunday's race had we not had damage.
"We have all learned a lot and I'm looking forward to the next race with them at Spa."
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Weather for Spalding
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South
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Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
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