G-Drive Racing came from the back of the grid to secure a podium finish at the Austin round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The #26 ORECA 05-Nissan, driven by Alex Brundle, Rene Rast and Roman Rusinov, staged a superb recovery to finish third in the LMP2 class and 10th overall. The result moved the JOTA Sport run car to third place in the championship points with three races remaining.
Brundle’s qualifying times were disallowed for exceeding track limits, forcing the team to start from the back of the field. Yet Brundle climbed 13 places in five minutes, and by the end of his stint G-Drive was up to fifth in LMP2 and 13th overall.
Rast continued the orange ORECA’s progress and got to within just 10-seconds of the leader at one stage. Rusinov consolidated a spot on the podium before handing over to Rast who attempted to chase down Filipe Albuquerque in the #43 RGR Sport Ligier. Rast got to within six seconds of his Portuguese rival, but slower traffic and full-course yellows worked against him, leaving the German driver third at the flag.
The result moves G-Drive Racing to third in LMP2 teams’ championship with three races remaining.
“In the circumstance of having to start from the back and finishing third, it was not too bad”, said Rusinov.
“We had some tough situations in the last two races so it was nice for the team to get a podium. We now go to Fuji where I won last year so I look forward to push for victory.”
Rast concurred: “We had some frustrations over the weekend but we fought back well as a team and the spirit we have will, I am sure, mean that the first victory will come soon.”
The next round of the WEC championship, the 6 Hours of Fuji, Japan, takes place on October 18.
