Tom Sharp was cruelly denied a potential superb top ten finish during his first-ever race meeting in Monaco last weekend (27/28 May), after finding himself the innocent victim of contact in the third race of the 2017 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season.

Following a promising season opener in Barcelona two weeks prior, the second meeting of Sharp’s maiden Supercup campaign would give him the opportunity to tackle the world-famous streets of the principality for the first time in his burgeoning career.

Sharp’s opening venture onto the unique two mile circuit came during Thursday’s 45 minute free practice session; a crucial opportunity for him to get to grips with the circuit ahead of qualifying with track time at a premium across the meeting.

The Camberley-based racer would push a little bit too far on one occasion though and made a visit to the unforgiving barriers at Tabac, with the subsequent damage necessitating a brilliant overnight repair job from the small, family IDL Racing team.

Sharp would reward their efforts with a fantastic performance in qualifying the next day though, with an improvement of over a second from the previous day placing his IDL, Dome Group, Mardix Group, Lloret and Fireclad Limited backed machine thirteenth on the grid.

With the 25 year old now feeling right at home around the Monaco streets, confidence was high that he could enjoy a strong outing in the weekend’s solitary race, which took place on the morning of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix itself.

Sharp would kick off proceedings in superb style, with a slick move around the outside of the first corner, Sainte Devote, immediately moving up to eleventh place and onto the rear bumper of compatriot Paul Rees, whom he began to put under immense pressure as the race developed.

On lap three, Sharp’s pressure would force Rees into a mistake at the Swimming Pool chicane, however a big bounce over the kerb would send him into the barriers and that ultimately cost Sharp dear, with Rees bouncing back and tagging the rear of his car.

That contact would pitch the right rear of Sharp’s car into the barriers, with a subsequent broken suspension forcing him into an immediate retirement in the pitlane, unfortunately bringing his impressive Monaco weekend to a premature conclusion.

Having been on the cusp of entering the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup top ten for the first time this season, Sharp is full of confidence as the championship now enters a six week break before the next outing at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on 8/9 July.

Tom Sharp: “What can I say. It’s naturally disappointing to not make the finish of the race, especially through no fault of our own, but that’s motorsport and it has been a truly incredible experience and something I will remember until the day I die.

“When I was growing up, I spent a long time dreaming of racing around the streets of Monte Carlo and words can’t describe how it feels to do it! Our pace was improving every session on track and I was delighted with how we had started the race.

“I really hope to be back next year for another go! A massive thank you to my fantastic sponsors for the opportunity, and to my team-mate Mark Radcliffe, Peter Sieber and all the IDL team for their hard work. Roll on Austria in July!”

Source. Simon Paice Media/Photo. Porsche AG/Hoch Zwei.