It was the right call Bret, a confusing and chaotic episode which threatened to spiral.
Even though I was running in 5th at the reset.
However the restarted race proved to be my best run of the season. Thanks in part to Steeve's Spa setup and 90 laps of practise plus a decent showing in the Renault3.5s last week, doubleplus; I like Suzuka and know it well.
The first third of the race was yet another of my great battles with Ray, I kept within 2 seconds of him and pulled out a comfy cushion behind. I loomed just enough in his mirrors to give him the hurry
Eventually it paid off when he missed his brake point at the hairpin and I was through up to 5th again
From there I just had to manage the gap behind to Jef who can be rather tenacious. I managed to extend it by around a half sec a lap. Had a few minor excursions and scruffy laps but was always able to regain the time.
Was planning to run non-stop, had put wing-on to save my tyres and it was all on schedule when Pablo and Dyrton both pitted, and Race-One retired too. This put me in an incredible 2nd place!
However Pablo and Dyrton were way quicker on fresh tyres and soon caught me. I hadn't the straight line speed to defend and there was a near-death moment as they passed me at 130R. Avoiding contact put me off track and down to 4th which became 3rd after they later collided.
So for once all the bad luck flowed the other way and I have enjoyed a mild podium-buzz all day.
