Rookie Eric Lichtenstein, in only his second Formula car event, finished 5th in round five of the Formula Pilota China Championship held at the Shanghai F1 GP circuit. Held in wet conditions it was also his first wet race and he impressed with a fine controlled drive.
After running around 4th or 5th for most of the practice sessions Lichtenstein qualified a slightly disappointed 8th on a wet but drying track. “Our data showed he was on a lap good for 4th place until he ran off the track on his last lap and he was demoted to 8th as several drivers improved on the final lap of the session” reported Eurasia’s Mark Goddard.
Rain just before the race start saw the entire field fit wet tyres and the safety car led the field away. Once the safety car pulled off Lichtenstein swept into 6th place and a lap later he swept past Nobuharu Matsushita at the final corner. He then spent the remainder of the race fending off the Japanese. Belying his inexperience under tremendous pressure in vey difficult conditions Eric held off his rival to the flag.
Race two will take place at 2pm local time.
