Fastest lap of the race backs up second in qualifying- Podium lost with two laps to go
Chang International Circuit, Thailand (October 9, 2017) – Jann Mardenborough and his team mate Hironobu Yasuda missed out on Team Impul’s first podium of the Super GT season but delivered a fantastic drive in difficult conditions.
Mardenborough’s rookie season continues to deliver beyond expectations, but again his blistering single lap pace has not been rewarded with silverware.
The former GT Academy winner only has the fastest lap of the race and a front row start to show for a weekend where Impul was the top Nissan throughout.
Mardenborough’s fastest lap was more than half a second faster than any other Nissan in the race and nearly three-tenths faster than the competing Hondas and Lexus.
In treacherous conditions, flatmates Mardenborough and Nick Cassidy pulled away from the field at the start of the race as the track transitioned from wet to dry. In all conditions Mardenborough was trading fastest laps with various Lexus drivers.
When Cassidy pitted from the lead Mardenborough took over and reeled off a string of fast laps to get Impul in striking distance to the leader after the pit stops. Some confusion in the pit stop dropped Yasuda out of contention for the win. A podium was guaranteed with three laps to go until the number 12 ground to a halt with a fuel system issue.
Mardenborough was gutted to lose the podium but was pleased that the Calsonic car had finally found some pace.
“I’m obviously very disappointed with the end result for myself, Hiro and all the team but delighted with the potential from the weekend,” Mardenborough said.
“It would have been awesome to have made the podium but we’ll just have to reset and set our sights on the final round at Motegi.
“I had my Mum and Dad at the track this weekend and it would have been brilliant to score a result while they were here, but that’s how it goes sometimes.
“I’m certainly going to be giving it my best shot at the final rounds – both in Super Formula and Super GT.”
Mardenborough continues his Japanese rookie season in the final race weekend of Super Formula in two weeks at Suzuka. Both races can be watched live on Motorsport.com.
The final Super GT round of the season will be held at Twin Ring Motegi on November 12.
