Sepang Audi R8 LMS Cup: Patel scores in difficult weekend
Aditya Patel went through a tough third round in the Audi R8 LMS Cup in Sepang with a points finish in Race 1 whereas had a non-scoring run in Race 2.
Photo by: Audi Communications Motorsport
Audi's DTM star Edoardo Mortara took pole in a tightly contested session with 0.632s separating the top five as Patel was eighth in the super pole, after two top 10 finishes in the practice session.
Starting eighth, Patel had a fruitful outing as the Indian made a place to finish seventh just ahead of Martin Rump, 1.121s separating the two.
The JK Tyre backed driver was unable to challenge sixth placed Marchy Lee, as ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong won, after starting fourth in the race.
Mortara with ballast on his Audi R8 finished 0.586s behind, having started on pole with Rahel Frey beating teammate Alessio Picariello to take final podium spot.
No points in final race
Mortara outduelled Picariello in Race 2, after the two were involved a tight battled throughout the 13-lap race.
The Belgian pushed hard but was unable to pass, with both carrying success ballast on their Audi R8's. Frey joined the tussle, but fell short to take third once again.
It was a difficult outing for the Indian driver having started inside the top 10, Patel dropped out during the course to finish a lowly 12th.
Towards the end of the race, Patel was lapping quicker than his immediate rivals but the gap was too much to bridge with few laps remaining.
It's tight in the championship standings with Yoong and Picariello tied on top with 95 points, Patel dropped one place to ninth with 26 in his kitty.
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