2017 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship – Double Podium for Carlin

Ahmed and Pull Ensure Carlin Double Podium

In another strong show of pace, Carlin’s Enaam Ahmed and James Pull have both featured on the podium in the opening race of the BRDC British Formula Three Championship weekend at Silverstone. The Carlin pair spent the latter half of the race running close together as they looked to chase the leader; pulling away well from those behind them, Ahmed took the flag in second with Pull very close behind in third. American racer Cameron Das also enjoyed a strong race and was the driver to watch as he battled well with those around him to claim sixth position.

Following a strong team qualifying effort, the three Carlin drivers lined up well ahead of the opening race of the weekend at Silverstone; Ahmed started in second, Pull in third and Das in fifth. As the lights went out Ahmed had a great start however Pull fell back somewhat to fourth over the first lap – a position he made up with flair just a short while later as the cars went through Stowe. Das had also enjoyed a strong start and was looking to make progress however in the melee he was pushed wide and off line towards a sausage kerb meaning he had to back off and as a result lost position. Over the next few laps he looked to make progress and was running wheel to wheel in his efforts – soon gaining ground.At the front pole sitter Toby Sowery had pulled a strong gap over both Ahmed and Pull who were running nose to tail in their efforts to chase him down however towards the latter half of the race, the positions remained the same with very few moves for positions made. As the flag fell to mark the end of the race, Ahmed and Pull came through in second and third to make it a double Carlin podium with Das finishing in sixth.

Extending his healthy lead in the championship, Ahmed said, “Toby [Sowery] had two new tyres so I knew that it would be difficult to get the win today and that my best chance would be off the line. As expected he got a really good start and although I gained a little on him, it wasn’t quite enough. After that, it was pretty straight forward for the rest of the race. It was a little hard to overtake and I came under pressure from James [Pull] as well when my tyres started to drop off a little towards the end. However I’ve extended my lead in the championship so I have to be pleased with that.”

Joining him on the podium Pull added, “Off the line my start wasn’t that great – I dropped back a position and had to then make the position back which I did at Stowe. From there I knuckled down and tried to get a fast lap on the board for race three during which I caught Enaam [Ahmed] quite quickly; but despite being right behind him, I couldn’t really make a move. It was a good battle and it’s really great to have the pace in the car and get another podium.”

Das added, “I had a really strong start however I got pushed wide and had to back off to avoid a sausage kerb which meant I lost positons. After that I had a pretty good battle out there which was fun and I think we’re in a strong position for the rest of the weekend. We start tomorrow’s reverse race in third and our fastest lap for race three is looking promising as well. It was good to make the positions up after the tough first lap so looking forward to racing again tomorrow.”