Mixed luck for Patel in third round

India’s Aditya Patel and Mitch Gilbert of Team OD enjoyed a podium finish in the first race, but a tyre malfunction ruined their chances in the second race of the third round at the Blancpain GT Series Asia in Suzuka, Japan, on Sunday.

After securing third place in the first race, a tyre blowout ruined their chances in the second at the Suzuka circuit.

The first race saw the PatelGilbert duo — driving an Audi R8 LMS car — start on the front row.

Patel took the wheel at the start of the race. But lost position to Marchy Lee in turn one and had to settle for third until the pit stops.

Gilbert served a five-second penalty for a fault in his earlier race last weekend. He found himself in the fourth place but managed to fight his way back to third with three laps to the finish.

After his podium finish in Race One, Gilbert took the start for the next race and having fought hard to hold his position.

He handed over the car to Patel in the fourth position during the pit stops.

Patel drove well and seized the lead, taking a comfortable lead over his opponents. But the rear left tyre of his car suffered a blowout, terminating their run.

“It’s probably the most unfortunate way to lose out on a sure win.

“But that’s racing I guess. We had good pace all weekend and even qualified on the front row for both races,” Patel said after the race.

The next race is scheduled for Fuji in August.

It’s probably the most unfortunate way to lose out on a sure win. But that’s racing I guess.