Veloce score solid points in Scotland
Veloce Racing experienced a day of mixed emotions at the opening Hydro X Prix (13 May) in Scotland, as the E.ON-backed British Extreme E squad finished second in the Redemption Race.
On a day that promised so much, having set the fastest time in each of Friday’s free practice sessions, an unfavourable grid draw was followed by the cancellation of Qualifying 1 when early morning low mist made visibility almost impossible.
With Q2 effectively becoming a shootout towards final qualification Veloce were hit by further misfortune in the early stages of the race.
Australian female driver Molly Taylor made a good getaway and was looking to challenge on the run down to turn two, before she received contact from the McLaren XE machine of Tanner Foust.
Although the incident was relatively minor it unfortunately broke a toe link on the rear right of the car, forcing the #5 ODYSSEY 21 into retirement.
After a stellar effort from the mechanics to repair the car, Veloce returned to the track for this afternoon’s Redemption Race.
Tied at the top of the overall standings with the ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team – after both teams took a win apiece in Saudi Arabia last time out – there was another exciting battle between the two as Veloce’s Kevin Hansen blasted into second from the outside of the grid.
Hansen’s momentum was compromised, however, when he was forced to run through standing water on the exit of turn one, but he soon settled into second behind leader Matthias Ekström.
The cars were separated by around two to three seconds – a gap that remained once Taylor took over driving duties behind the wheel – and Veloce eventually crossed the line in second to score six valuable points.
Veloce now sit second in the overall standings, but with undoubted pace and another Hydro X Prix to come tomorrow the team will be looking to score big to conclude its home race weekend.
Molly Taylor, Veloce Racing driver, said: “It feels like a case of what might have been for us. It’s always frustrating when you are quick in practice and you know that you have a fast package. We knew with our starting draw and only one qualifying session, it was going to be a challenge. Everyone in the team did a great job and we bounced back well in the Redemption Race. We now look forward to tomorrow.”
Kevin Hansen, Veloce Racing driver, said: “The incident in Q2 is just one of those things in racing, but it obviously impacted our day. We regrouped and went well in the Redemption Race. There was a small chance for the lead, but the standing water killed our momentum, and the dust also made it difficult to see. Molly did great and bringing the car home in second is positive points – bring on tomorrow when we believe we can get the result that our pace deserves.”
Daniel Bailey, CEO, Veloce Racing, said: “Today just wasn’t quite our day but the team has done a great job so far to show both pace and performance, and we brought home some valuable points in the Redemption Race. Sometimes that’s the way things go but having set the fastest time in both practice sessions, we can be confident about our potential ahead of tomorrow.”
