The seventh and penultimate round of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship was held today (1st November) at the Shanghai International Circuit, China, in extremely challenging conditions. Most of the six-hour race took place in wet conditions.
A Rookie in the 2015 season, the Brazilian driver Pipo Derani had a tough race and saw the chance of another podium finish in the LMP2 class frustratingly end on the final lap of the race, after teammate Ricardo Gonzalez spun, meaning the #28 Ligier JS P2 (Dunlop / Nissan) run by the G-Drive Racing team was unclassified.
“It was a hard day. I drove the car for almost the entire first three hours. I led the LMP2 class and I did the maximum I could do, handing the car over in a good position and in the fight for a podium position”, said Derani, who besides the Mexican Gonzalez, also shares the G-Drive Racing #28 Ligier JS P2 with Venezuelan Gustavo Yacaman.
“The race took place in extreme conditions after a lot of rain. But we completed a good race to finish third and get another podium to maintain a chance in the title battle”, continued the Brazilian.
“Unfortunately, on the last lap Ricardo spun. He came under pressure for third position. The track was starting to dry out, but still it was wet offline and we were on slick tires”, explained 22 year-old Derani.
“It was a shame we are out of the title battle, but we will go to Bahrain with our heads held high. It will be difficult to fight for second place in the championship, but we will work hard to achieve this result. I want to say a big thank you to my team, which was sensational again. Especially the mechanics, who have been the best in the pit stops all year. They deserve our recognition”, added Derani.
It was the first round that the Brazilian and his teammates did not score points this year. In seven races, they have taken five podiums positions, including two second and three third places.
The trio of Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley (Porsche 919 Hybrid) were the overall winners in Shanghai today. In LMP2, Nelson Panciatici, Paul-Loup Chatin and Tom Dillmann won, followed by the class leaders Romain Rusinov, Julien Canal and Sam Bird, who are also teammates of Derani in the G-Drive Racing squad.
The last round of the season will take place on 21st November in Bahrain.