Sensational Maiden Podium For Albert At Donington Park GP‏

Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit proved a happy hunting ground for Jordan Albert and the SWR Caterham F1 Driver Development Programme Team on Sunday, 21st September, when the British teenager secured his maiden BRDC Formula 4 Championship podium with a superb performance.Having posted competitive ninth and 11th place results in the weekend’s opening two races, the 17-year-old was in sensational form during Sunday afternoon’s final encounter – taking a terrific third place finish, only 1.6 seconds shy of the race winner, to move into the championship top 10.In an incredibly closely fought contest full of drama, the SWR Caterham racer kept his cool while many more experienced drivers came to grief. Beginning round 21 from ninth position, Albert was nudged back to 10th place initially but by the end of lap three he was into the top six.With the lead contenders running pretty much nose-to-tail into the second half of the contest, Albert was in a great position to try and secure his first silverware and after moving into fourth on lap seven the podium became ever more likely. Then, a lap later, he passed Charlie Eastwood for third at Redgate before pulling clear and closing to within 0.8 seconds of second place at the flag.“That was a great way to end the weekend”, said Sean Walkinshaw, owner of the Chipping Norton team, “It had been nice and steady up until the third race, then Jordan produced an outstanding drive. He’s really hit some form over the last couple of events and deserves his first podium, it was a great performance. If he can end the year in the championship top 10, that’ll be fantastic.”Team-mate Diego Borrelli achieved a best finish of 13th place, ending both rounds 19 and 21 just outside the top 12. Marking the Venezuelan’s first ever visit to Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit, his performances were certainly noteworthy considering his lack of experience and the fact his first mileage at the Leicestershire track came during qualifying.“We’re really pleased with the job Diego did this weekend”, added Walkinshaw, “He’d never driven on the GP track before but acquitted himself well, he took away some good finishes and was very close to a top 12 result in race one. Considering he came straight to Donington from Venezuela, with no testing, he should be very pleased with his performances.”In round 19 on Saturday, 20th September, Albert made a good start from 10th place to maintain position over the first few laps and after moving into ninth on lap five, the SWR Caterham racer stayed there to the finish to end the race within 1.5 seconds of the top eight.Borrelli put together a good showing in the opener to climb through from the ninth row of the grid impressively. Slicing his way through from 18th position into 14th place on lap one alone, the South American held station for several laps before moving up into 11th spot on the seventh tour. Even though slipping back to 13th place over the final couple of laps, the result was nonetheless notable.Beginning round 20 from ninth place, Albert was elbowed back four positions on the first lap but mounted a good recovery and moved to the cusp of the top 10 by lap five. Running in 11th position to the finish, the Briton swarmed all over the back of Charlie Eastwood but couldn’t quite prise open a passing opportunity.Borrelli, lining-up in 13th position, gained a place at Albert’s expense at the beginning and looked comfortable but on lap three he had to make a pit visit to have grass removed from his radiators after an excursion. He eventually ended the encounter in 18th place.Snetterton 300 Circuit will host the final three rounds of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship season over the weekend 25th/26th October.Provisional 2014 BRDC Formula 4 Championship driver standings (after Rd21):10th Jordan Albert, 212pts; 16th Diego Borrelli, 114pts; 18th Nicolas Beer, 87pts; 23rd Alex Palou, 48pts


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