Indian rising star Aditya Patel got of to a great start clinching 2nd runners-up podium finish in the first round of the Audi R8 LMS cup. Alex Yoong (from Malaysia) of Audi TEDA Racing Team and the current reigning Audi R8 LMS Cup champion won the race at the Zhuhai International Circuit followed by Rahel Frey of Castrol Racing team. Third across the line at the end of the 16-lap race was series newcomer and its first Indian driver, Aditya Patel of Team Audi R8 LMS Cup, taking the Four Rings Trophy win ahead of 2012 champion, Marchy Lee of Audi Hong Kong Team, 4th overall. FAW-VW Audi Racing Team’s Franky Cheng finished 5th, having just missed out on making the Superpole cut to start from 9th on the grid.
Said Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia: “The new Superpole shootout brings another strategic element to the Audi R8 LMS Cup, while also adding to the excitement amongst the drivers, teams as well as spectators. Alex’s superb victory demonstrates once again why he is our reigning champion, and Aditya has proven to be a front-runner on his debut.”
As the lights went out to herald the start of the Audi R8 LMS Cup 2015 season it was Yoong who stole the advantage – in part by using a Push-to-Pass – from Frey after she locked up and ran slightly wide. The Malaysian grabbed the lead and immediately set about pulling out a gap, with Frey and Patel giving chase.
“This is my first race in the series and I’m pretty happy with a podium, but I would have liked to have had a little more pace in qualifying. As the race went on, there was a lot going on; I had Marchy catching up from behind and that kept me on my toes, and I was also trying to plan how to catch Rahel. I used Push-to-Pass to catch Rahel and tried to make a move, but couldn’t make it stick", commented Aditya.
