MUNDIAL GT - TF SPORT

Terça, 07 Agosto 2018 17:36 | Actualizado em Segunda, 15 Abril 2024 07:16

Brands Hatch podium keeps TF Sport in British GT title race

At one stage of the British GT Championship race weekend, a podium position looked a slim possibility, but a fine drive from Mark Farmer and Nicki Thiim following a dramatic qualifying session for TF Sport, yielded the third place at Brands Hatch to keep the driver paring in the title hunt ahead of the final round at Donington Park.

The team worked incredibly hard to prepare the #11 Aston Martin Vantage in the short gap between returning from Spa-Francorchamps and round eight of the British GT Championship. All went to plan throughout first practice, with first Mark and Nicki topping the timesheets and then Derek Johnston and Marco Sørensen repeating the process in second practice.

Qualifying however was a disappointment with Mark spinning off, while a front-left wheel issue and subsequent ABS sensor problem on the #17 Aston Martin resulted in a row five start for the team.

The long British summer continued into race day, making it especially difficult for the drivers. Derek lined up ninth with Mark behind. Both made a strong start to gain one place with Mark then getting ahead of Derek before closing up on the #116 Mercedes of Lee Mowle.

Following a sizeable shunt on the main straight, the Safety Car closed the field and Mark was able to make a great pass at the re-start around the outside at Paddock Hill on lap 29 for seventh position.

Mark and then Derek pitted mid-race to hand over to Nicki and Marco, exiting the pits in fifth and eighth position respectively. Marco was immediately on the pace, setting the fastest lap of the race for the fourth time before catching Yelmur Buurman’s Mercedes.

Nicki soon passed Phil Keen for fourth position and closed up on the #99 of fellow AMR driver Darren Turner. The pass came in the final minutes of the race on lap 59 to give the #11 pairing a hard-fought podium position, with Marco finishing in sixth.

The result means that heading to the season finale at Donington Park, TF Sport remain at the top of the teams’ standings with 224 points, with Mark and Nicki third in the drivers’ standings, 18.5 behind the series leader.

Tom Ferrier, TF Sport Director

“It was a good race from us from the back to finish in third position with Mark and Nicki, so you can’t ask for much more than that really, especially at Brands Hatch where passing is so difficult. Marco got the fastest lap again which is impressive, and both of our cars were fast, so a good result after the problems in qualifying. Our whole thought process has been to be in the championship battle going to Donington. We are with one car and we’re leading the teams’ championship, but we’re going to need to win if we’re to stand a chance of claiming both titles.”

Mark Farmer #11

“I made a bit of a school-boy error in qualifying and my stint was really hard. Lee Mowle was really wide and quick through the twisty turns and slow at the back part of the circuit, but it’s just so hard to overtake out there. I managed to jump him straight after the Safety Car. We were blessed with the Safety Car really as it closed it all up and third is a good result from here.”

Nicki Thiim #11

“We were quick, but the #69 Lambo and Jonny were able to pull away at the front and Darren was leading the train behind that. I tried to be careful and save the tyres, especially the left rear, and then opted to push the Lambo. It then started smoking and I was ahead. Darren was next and his car was super-fast on the straight, so I knew I had to do something on the brakes or in traffic and that worked out fine. It’s nice for the guys to get the podium after repairing the car in a week and we’re still in the championship.”

Derek Johnston #17

“That was as tough as it gets. It was so hot and so difficult to make a move for position. We finished the race from the back and that all helps the team. Marco was quick as ever, so I now look forward to Donington.”