Carlin Double Podium for Pull and Das

Carlin’s James Pull and Cameron Das have graced the podium together in the final race of the BRDC British Formula Three race of the weekend at Rockingham. Both drivers drove commanding races with Pull claiming second position and Das following him home in third. However it was a frustrating race for Championship leader Enaam Ahmed who ran wide at the hairpin while attempting a move which left him out of position. The strong finish for the both Pull and Das ensured that a Carlin driver featured on the podium of every race this weekend at the Rockingham Motor Speedway.

Off the line pole sitter Das held the advantage well as he led the field in to the first corner. In clear air the young American was even able to pull a gap in the early stages over those behind and hold the lead without opposition.  Team mate Pull was another fast starter off the line and was immediately up to third position looking to put his tough weekend well and truly behind him. However Ahmed’s run of bad luck today continued as he went in to the hairpin fighting for positions – unable to make his move stick he braked late, ran wide and was forced to re-join the track near the back; again, leaving him with work to do in the race.

After just two laps however the safety car was called on track to deal with an incident between Harry Hayek and Nicolai Kjaergard which left the latter stuck on track. On the restart Das lost position to both Ben Hingeley and a fast starting Pull which left him third and his team mate up to second. Ahmed Meanwhile was recovering in 10th in an effort to gain as many positions in damage control.

However no sooner had the safety car come in to the pit lane it was called upon once again to deal with an incident between Manuel Maldonado and Omar Ismail which bunched the field up again. This time, the restart was less frantic with the top three holding their positions and Ahmed continuing to chase those ahead in ninth.

Over the next few laps the positions remained largely the same around a wind-swept Rockingham as the race counted to time instead of lap distance. As the flag fell Pull led a Carlin double podium in second position with Das just behind taking third. Championship leader Ahmed crossed the line in eighth following his difficult final race of the day.

Pull said of his podium, “It was a great race out there today for me and I had a lot of fun too. Cameron [Das], Ben [Hingeley] and I had some good battles! I had a solid start again, which has been a bit of a trend this weekend, and then made sure to think about my positioning on track to capitalise on where everyone else was. I made sure to stay consistent and calm after that. At the safety car restart I had a lot of confidence in the car to push it far, so I left it late on the brakes and got second place. Thanks to the team for a great car this weekend – it was a tough start yesterday but we got the podium.”

Team mate Das added, “I had a really good start and was leading well over the first few laps and building a good gap too. Then the safety car came out and that bunched up the field. I had a good restart but Hingley and James [Pull] got a good tow and we went in to the hairpin three abreast – which doesn’t really work! But it was a case of staying strong in third to get the points and begin to chase Enaam down in the championship hunt. Three podiums, points and a win – we have to be happy with that.”