ADD Motorsports driver John Bryant-Meisner was left frustrated as engine problems prevented a golden opportunity to finish on a podium in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
The Swedish racer started in second and fourth place in two of the three races and was leading at one point at Spa-Francorchamps - but was always fighting a losing battle on the straights due to a lack of speed.
With the team mechanics unable to find the problem, it saw him finish last and register a DNF despite getting himself into some brilliant positions.
Despite being bitterly disappointed, Bryant-Meisner felt he could leave with his head held high after making the most of a very difficult weekend.
He said: “It was a very frustrating weekend, I did everything I could but with the engine problems I just didn’t have the speed.“In a way I’m happy, as I did a good job in the circumstances and showed what I’m capable of, but that also makes it seem worse as we couldn’t make the most of it.
“We still don’t know what went wrong, hopefully it will get sorted by the next race.”
John finished 20th in the first qualifier, with the engine problems immediately obvious and the pace not there.
But in the wet, it was, so when the rain came he managed to qualify in 4th and 2nd for the other races.
Despite praying for rain for the remainder of the weekend, it wasn’t to be and after a good start the driver spent most of Race One having to defend as much as possible and had to be happy to finish 14th.
He started fourth for Race 2 and it was here the lack of speed was glaringly obvious. Despite a good start, drivers could pass him with ease on the straights.
Despite fighting for every place, he found himself pushed wide and span – and was disappointed to finish last.
John began Race 3 in second place and he started the race believing the problems had been fixed thanks to a team of engine mechanics who had been working tirelessly.
He managed to overtake the leader early on and pulled away, but unfortunately the same problem occurred again – with his car so much slower.
He was in sixth when the safety car came out and when it went he got a good start again. But on one straight, soon after, four cars passed him and frustratingly, John pulled into the pits for a DNF.
He added: “Everyone knows something is wrong, it couldn’t have been more obvious, but we just don’t know what it is yet.
“These things happen and I’m sure it will get fixed – the team did everything they could to try to help me, but it wasn’t to be.
“To qualify in second and fourth is where I want to be, so at least we know we can do it if given the proper opportunity.
“Really, I could have won that last race if things had gone my way, so that’s really pleasing to know.
“So it was an up and down weekend really, hopefully there will be more of the up next time round.”
