Had a great race without too many mistakes. Got off the start behind Pekka and followed him on the first lap, but not too close as there was no real chance for overtaking anyway and I felt the loss in downforce was making it difficult too close behind. Pekka went onto the grass braking for the right-hander before the Karussel, so I was able to take the lead and managed to slightly extend it a bit during the first couple of laps. My tests had told me that I would be losing too much time on a 5th lap on the same tyres, so I knew I would be running either 4 or 3 lap-stints as that promised to be faster by about 20-30 seconds overall. As I had a bit of a lead, I decided to come in after 4 for my first stop. I took on 35 litres, so I would be able to just about run another 4-lap stint, if I wanted to and apparently that was a lot less than my competitors. Only Pekka stayed out and took the lead as he was on a 2-stop strategy. I was quite rapidly gaining on him from about 15 seconds down, and then he seemed to have trouble as I caught up with him going slowly up the hill at Kesselchen. After Pekka subsequently had pitted, the lead had risen to about 25 seconds, although I didn't know how much was due to having taken on less fuel.
I then decided I would make the 3 lap-stints in the middle, so I wouldn't be "undercut" by having a slower 4th lap against an opponent's fast out-lap. My lead shrank after pitstop #2 (probably more fuel going in), and Mika suddenly overtook me in the pits at my last stop, where I had taken on the recommended amount plus 7 or 8 litres for safety. I thought that he must have had either taken on much more fuel at the first stops or was cutting it a lot closer than I was. I was back only about 5 seconds leaving the pits though, so I thought I had a chance to catch up during the final 4 laps, but I knew it would be tough as Mika was roughly on the same pace, on the same strategy and in the same car. He was maintaining the gap early on, but then made some smaller mistakes and I caught him by the beginning of the Döttinger Höhe straight and drafted past. First, he followed me around closely, but then dropped away as he realised he had not taken on enough fuel to reach the finish (as we now know).
Had a lot of fun driving yesterday, although turnout wasn't that big, and those who showed up were hassled with connection- and other problems.
Congrats to Pekka for the championship (although still unofficial)!
. So great to have my first podium on easily my favorite track in the world.
