Buriram Audi R8 LMS Cup: Mixed results for Patel
Indian Aditya Patel had a mixed second round of the Audi R8 LMS Cup at Buriram circuit in Thailand, scoring points in Race 1 and retiring in Race 2.
Aditya Patel, Team Audi R8 LMS Cup
Audi Communications Motorsport
Patel started the weekend with eighth and ninth place finish in the two practice sessions on Friday, headed by Alessio Picariello.
Both the session saw the top 10 drivers ending within a second of the pace setter, as they came to grips with the new circuit in the calendar.
The qualifying on Saturday saw Picariello maintain his fine form taking pole lapping in a 1m32.910s with Marchy Lee and ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong completing the top three.
Meanwhile, Patel was 0.601s off the Belgian's time, qualifying eighth but was benefited to seventh after Martin Rump's time was disallowed due to track limits.
Fighting Race 1
With a close grid in the top 10, Patel held seventh at the start fending off pressure from behind. By Lap 3 the Indian made a move stick on Jan Kisiel to get up to sixth.
But the Polish driver kept the pressure on Patel and eventually took back the place on Lap 6 and pulled a decent gap, as the Indian faced minor engine issues.
But Patel finished a comfortable seventh ahead of Rahel Frey while up ahead Yoong took the race win from Picariello (carrying an extra weight in his Audi GT3 car) as Lee completed the top 3.
Retirement in second race
For the final race on Sunday, Patel started from seventh but dropped to eighth at the end of the opening lap after being tagged by the driver behind.
On Lap 2, the Indian lost another place and was once again hit by Kyoung-Ouk You which subsequently damaged his rear.
While Rump led the way in the front finishing 7.310s from Picariello. Kisiel completed the podium places.
Patel suffered an unfortunate retirement on Lap 6 after heavy damage to his car, dropping him to eighth in the standings tied with Ryo Ogawa on 20 points.
Picariello leads ahead with 65 points followed by Yoong on 62 and Rump third on 61.
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