Justin Wilson leapt to second in the Champ Car series standings with a win at the Grand Prix of Holland after leader Sebastien Bourdais became the highest-profile victim of a freak mechanical defect.
The Frenchman was one of a number of drivers who found their pit limiter engaging when they pressed the button that was supposed to provide extra power for overtaking.
He had lost the lead to Wilson at the first corner but was attempting to take it back when the fault struck, slowing him and dropping him back to fifth place.
Wilson told series tyre manufacturers Bridgestone afterwards: “Yeah, the Bridgestone tires were working great. The alternate tyres were fantastic, as were the primaries. So, you know, it was just a case of holding on and getting our first win of the year.”
Wilson’s first win of the season and fourth of his Champ Car career moves him 58 points behind Bourdais with two races to go, the next of which will be held in seven weeks time in Australia.
The other British drivers in the race – Ryan Dalziel, Dan Clarke, and Katherine Legge – finished 10th, 11th, and 12th, in that order.