Rossiter's troubling time at Zandvoort

By BAR Honda
August 31 2005

F3 Euro Series contender, and BAR Honda Young Driver, James Rossiter was involved in incidents in both races at Zandvoort last weekend (27 & 28 August).

From 11th on the grid in Race 1, the Briton ran into trouble at the very first corner; 'slight contact' with Kohei Hirate (Team Rosberg, Dallara-Opel) was enough to bring James's race to a premature end under a safety car on the following lap.

Having qualified eighth on the grid for Race 2, James pushed hard from the start, making up significant ground early on. However, his hard work was undone after he was forced off the track by eventual fourth-placed finisher Paul di Resta (Manor Motorsport, Dallara-Mercedes). James managed to keep going and crossed the finish line in 10th place, although he was classified ninth following the disqualification of Sebastien Vettel (ASL Mucke Motorsport, Dallara-Mercedes).

James commented, "My start was quite alright and I had already passed Paul di Resta when he pushed me onto the grass. I lost many positions in this incident and I think it wasn't a very fair move."

James is joint fifth in the championship standings with Signature-Plus team-mate Loïc Duval. Two races are left to run in the series, the next date being the EuroSpeedway, Germany, on 17 & 18 September.