Ash Sutton left to rue hybrid error

Ash Sutton was left to rue mistake with the deployment of his Hybrid Energy Management System after missing out on a first pole position of the year at Donington Park.

The season opener marked the only time this season that ever driver was able to make use of a full 15 seconds of hybrid energy on each lap during qualifying, with the amount on offer being limited from round two onwards depending on championship position.

Whilst drivers are free to use the extra boost as they wish, it is only available when travelling above 120km/h – just under 75mph – with anyone trying to activate the system before that speed is reached being locked out of using it for a period of two seconds.

That was exactly what Sutton did on the exit of the chicane on his fastest lap, with the loss of hybrid power on the run to the line potentially costing him the chance to grab pole on his Motorbase debut.

“I’m kicking myself a bit if I’m honest because I threw it away,” he said. “I got a bit too keen coming out the final corner and locked myself out of the hybrid and on the data it cost me a tenth of a second which would have put me ahead of the BMWs.

“However we have to live and learn because this is all new for us and the big positive is that we are the fastest of the front-wheel drive cars. The balance of the car seems to be good and the race pace was encouraging in practice so let’s go racing and see what happens.”