Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) was back on the podium again in the Spanish GP, after winning the first two races of the year then suffering a tougher weekend in Texas. Mir went into the final corner in second and was about to attack for the lead when Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) dived down the inside from third to first – leaving the Championship leader with a decision on his hands. Playing it safer rather than risk a crash, the Mallorcan crossed the line in third for another good haul of points towards his Championship charge.
Joan Mir, P3: “It was a very tough race and very difficult also. I’m very satisfied with third position, not as happy as I want, but satisfied because a podium here is always amazing. After this good race, things haven’t gone to plan quite how I want; on the last lap I said ‘OK, I want to overtake Romano’ and maybe open a gap in T3 and T4. I almost crashed. I thought it’s not over, I will try into the last corner; I braked hard but not as hard as I want because I only wanted to overtake Fenati and I thought that was enough, but then Canet overtook me and I wondered whether to release the brake or what to do.
“I knew that if I released the brake then we risked crashing, all three of us, and then I thought 2nd or 3rd was good enough. It’s amazing here in Jerez and I am happy about this; I will try to keep this pace in Le Mans and the Championship of course.”