Hayes admits to cautious approach
British Formula 3 frontrunner Derek Hayes claimed that discretion was the better part of valour on the opening day of practice after several frontrunners hit trouble in first qualifying
The Manor Motorsport driver, making his debut in Macau, ended up down in 15th but believed the most important thing was to keep his car in one piece.
"We have seen what happened to Anthony Davidson today and I did not want to risk anything," said Hayes, referring to Davidson's accident. "I'm only going to start pushing when we get to second qualifying and I'm nowhere near the limit today."
Hayes claims he learned a bitter lesson about the approach to street races when he pushed too hard too early in the Korea Grand Prix last year and was unable to start the race following a crash in practice.
"Some of the other guys are running just a few inches from the wall, but I'm leaving about a metre," he added. "There is a lot more to come from me and with two new full sets of tyres we should be in pretty good shape.
Of the other British drivers, Andy Priaulx impressed on his return to Macau as he qualified eighth, while Davidson's fifth place was overshadowed by his accident that left him in hospital overnight.(click here for separate story).
Mark Taylor, also making his debut at Macau, ended his session early after crashing out in an accident with Italian Matteo Bobbi.
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