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| DM driving A1GP car |
Darren didn't get an easy time in his first A1 race and had a tough time holding onto second place at the start from A1 Grand Prix champions France. As the race settled it became A1 Team Mexico that proved to be the biggest challenger but Darren held position and crossed the line to claim his first silver medal, A1 Team GBR's 8th podium and to seal third position in the inaugural A1 Grand Prix series.
Darren said “This was obviously the main goal for the team, and it has been a great weekend. I think I have acclimatized myself now. I didn’t have the pace of Alex in the race, but I managed to fend off France and the charging Salvador. I’m not really used to this two race thing! The second race will be more like I’m used to, a long race with strategy and pit stops, so I think past experience will help me.”
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| DM takes 2nd for team GBR |
The Feature Race didn't go A1 Team GBR's way. Darren held second place from the start-line and was pursuing Alex Yoong for A1 Team Malaysia when an incident brought out the safety car and the team took the opportunity to take the mandatory pit stop. Coming out in third after A1 Team Czech Republic had a flying stop, Darren was in hot pursuit for another podium place when the team was issued a penalty for a false start. Taking the 'drive through' cost time and Darren fought back as hard as possible climbing up to 14th when the flag dropped.
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Darren said "In the first race I didn't have the pace of Malaysia and I was holding off a clinging Salvador [Duran/Mexico]. I got a good start in race two on new tyres but the observers thought I jumped it - one of those things - but that really spelt the end of the day. Looking at the whole weekend though it's great to have got the third in the Series for the team which was the goal. It's been a great weekend. I think I acclimatized well. It was nice to be on the pace all weekend, to work with the team and to experience A1 as a driver instead of a spectator. It's hectic but I've really enjoyed it and learnt a lot for (hopefully) my next drive."
