Mike Conway appeared to be on course for only his second GP2 Series podium, and at the most difficult circuit of the season, when he was crudely removed from third place in the Monaco feature race.
The Briton's race, which had underlined his potential until that point, came to an unexpected end with just a handful of corners to go, when lapped Spaniard Javier Villa made a mistake at the chicane, outbraking himself and slamming into the back of Conway's car.
“I'm really really disappointed for what happened today," the former British F3 champion fumed, "After driving a great race, making a great stop and running on a perfect strategy, it's quite tough to see such great work being completely destroyed by the unacceptable behaviour of a lapped driver. It's really hard to imagine how someone can commit such a huge mistake with a few corners to go - and nothing to fight for."
With the rear end wrecked, Conway was unable to even make it to the chequered flag, and was only able to secure eighth place - and a single point - by virtue having lapped everyone up to the ninth runner on the road.
The only comfort the Briton will be able to take from the result is that it at least gives him pole position for the second race of the weekend - the first time GP2 has had two races at Monaco - while Villa will start an additional ten places further back on the grid than his 14th place classification would have permitted.
"I would have preferred to take a really deserved trophy back home today," Conway admitted, "Now I only can look forward to race two."
Villa did not comment on the incident after the race, leaving Conway's Trident Racing boss, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, to have the final word.
![Mike Conway (Trident Racing) heads Javi Villa late in the Monaco feature.... [pic credit: GP2 Series]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/443539.jpg)
