Brazilian driver gained 10 positions in a extremely difficult race
In the distant city of Hyderabad, India, the Formula-E Championship reached its fourth round. Coming from a difficult weekend in the two races in Saudi Arabia, two weeks ago, the Brazilian driver Sergio Sette Câmara managed to have a good pace in this Saturday’s race (11). After starting from 15th place he made a great recovery race to receive the flag in the fifth position, adding 10 points to the Championship.
Sergio’s participation in the unprecedented race in Indian territory started in an encouraging way. He was third in the first free practice session, held on Friday morning. Last night was the second practice session when Sette and the NIO333 Racing team went for a different setup test on the two cars in order to find the best solution for qualifying, which would happen a few hours later.
In qualifying, Sette Câmara felt confident and, in Group A, he managed to get the fourth position in the first laps, which would take him to the duels for the pole-position. However, in his second fast lap attempt, when he had the equipment to fight probably for the first position, he ended up being blocked by one of the competitors and, as a result, he was only in 15th position on the grid. Pascal Wherlein, who stood in his way, was punished with the loss of three starting grid positions.
DIFFICULT AND CEREBRAL RACE
According to Brasilia time the race was authorized at 6:30 this Saturday morning. After a good start Sergio managed to stay in his starting position and then started his recovery race.
Under great pressure until the final flag, he and the team designed a strategy to use Attack Mode only in the second half of the race. With that, while the competitors took turns in positions, Sette gained a few places ahead little by little. With a good energy management and a strategy that proved to be very efficient Sette Câmara recovered 10 positions throughout the race and completed the 33 laps in a celebrated 5th place.
“I’m really happy to have come fifth and, more than that, to have gained 10 points for the Championship (the driver hadn’t scored yet this season). Our car was fast since the first free practice, but after being blocked in the quali and having to start from 15th place, even in my best projections I couldn’t imagine finishing the race in 5th position. I thank my sponsors and the team for the very good set-up they gave me this weekend, as well as for the great strategy we designed together. In two weeks’ time we will head to South Africa with renewed enthusiasm for another unprecedented challenge in the season,” said the 24-year-old driver.
Pictures: Disclosure – NIO333 Racing
Press office of Sergio Sette Câmara
Responsible journalist: Flávio Quick