Fauzy explains bizarre pit stop

Fairuz Fauzy lost a potential podium place on home soil in the Feature race in Sepang today.

The 26-year-old had been running in a strong third until a bizarre incident on the 17th lap, when he heard a message on the radio to come into pits by what he thought was his team. When he got there, he was sent straight back out on track by his confused team. It transpired that this was from another team and only heard by Fauzy. The organisers are investigating exactly how this could have happened.

Fauzy, whose Malaysia team was leading the championship going into the event, eventually finished 10th, stealing the final point from the Italian car of Edoardo Piscopo on the final lap.

“Throughout the race my car was very strong, but I just suffered a few handling problems, nothing major though,” Fauzy explained.

“The team called me in for the first pit stop, it was fine, and we went out in the same position again, with the same gap to second placed Portugal. After ten laps I was struggling with oversteer on the car. I tried to radio the team, got nothing, and then I heard ‘Box this lap’ twice. Then I said ‘Copy that’ and then I pitted. When I came in I saw the team was not ready, so I knew something was not right.

“I just had to carry on, but obviously I was very disappointed.

“Considering we had the extra pit stop it was a really good recovery, the car was very strong. I think if we hadn't had the pit issue, we would have had a podium easily. After the last pit stop, I was running about a second quicker, it’s tough for us all.”