Despite a last minute ticket to Brazil for the penultimate round of the Auto GP World Seriesthanks to generous sponsor Giltrap GroupChris van der Drift made it onto the podium once again, driving the black-yellow coloured car managed by Manor MP Motorsport in style.
The first practice sessions at the beautiful Curitiba circuit went great, ending up fifth in the rankings with old rubber setting fastest first sectors in both sessions. Both van der Drift and the team crew knew that an even stronger performance was possible as they sorted out the missing speed in the last sector. While the temperature dropped, its currently winter in Brazil; van der Drift drove a six lap stint on new soft tires in qualifying. I got quicker and quicker, improving to 1.12,1 and just one tiny tenth off pole. I recorded three similar laps, pushing to find the last bit. But then the chequered flag came out, van der Drift explains. But he was happy with second.
Unfortunately when he was on his way to the front row for race 1, the water temperature reached 105 degrees. When the lights went out for the first race, the car coughed and farted when launching from the line. I was left stranded moving at sails pace while everyone else zoomed past and from there it was damage recovery. After a not so exciting race we finished fifth, says a disappointed van der Drift.
Starting from fourth position in race two, Chris got off the line much better and went into third into the first corner, catching second a little later. We were going for the win, van der Drift says. But we had to mix tires. I started on used rear softs and changed half way through the race to used rear mediums. Up until the pit stops we were sitting in second, but we came out in third with the next group closely on my tail. Van der Drift managed to lose his rivals and eventually received second place as a driver in front of him crashed into the pit wall on the pit entry. My team mate managed to get up to third place, so it was a double podium for Manor MP Motorsport. A great result for the team.
Van der Drift aims for another good result during the final round that takes place in the USA. The Sonoma circuit will be hosting the event on 2123 September. Im currently sitting in fourth place in the championship, only 23 points to second overall. So thats my goal! I would especially like to thank the Giltrap Group and Manor MP Motorsport for helping me get to this round in Curitiba, says Van der Drift.
