VeeKay could not find a clear space of track to set his fast lap in qualifying. Photo: Kevin Dejewski
Rinus VeeKay will be starting Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg from the 24th position, and he’s none too happy about it.
The Dutchman was knocked out in the opening round of qualifying after being blocked while attempting to set his fast lap near the end of the session.
The offending drivers were driving slowly in order to build a gap to the car in front before starting their own flying lap, and were not able to cleanly move out of the way as VeeKay approached at full speed entering turn 10.
VeeKay had finished as the third fastest driver in the morning’s practice session, adding extra frustration to the fact that he will have to start from near the back of the 27-car field.
“We were on a good lap,” VeeKay explained to NBC on the television broadcast. “Lap two was the lap [to get the most out of the tires]. Coming into turn 10, guys were just standing still. Screwed my last sector, and it’s annoying.
“My team works hard. Everyone works very hard, I work hard. We were on for definitely advancing, and I think we had pace for the Fast 6. Then these guys are standing still there. You know, they’re laughing and we’re out.
“Even though we have pace, it definitely doesn’t help. Pisses me off a bit that nobody’s getting penalties. Because if it’s the way like this, everyone should be doing it.
“One thing about starting in the back, you have different strategies you can go to. More stuff can work because there’s just so much you can plan for this far into the field. We should not be in 24th, or 23rd, whatever it is.
“It’s really annoying, and I’m very angry and so is the team. We try hard, we are fast, but not a great start like this.”
Other drivers expressed frustrations at the traffic as well, which is a problem that has shown itself before on the short 1.8-mile street course.
Arguably none was affected as badly as VeeKay, though, and he will have to work his way from the rear in order to salvage a good start to his 2023 season.
The 100-lap race gets underway Sunday at 12:30 PM Eastern Time with a record-breaking 27 cars set to take part.
Keyword: VeeKay ‘very angry’ after traffic ruins qualifying chances