Narain Karthikeyan captured the fourth place in race two during round three of the Auto GP World Series at Hungaroring.
Following a robust performance at the preceding round in Marrakech, Morocco where the Indian had crashed into the front row and positioned a new lap record, expectations were elevated for the race at the Formula 1 venue on the outskirts of the Hungarian capital. To be precise, the team was actually left to battle with engine, tyre and pitstop issues throughout the weekend.
After suffering tyre overheating issues during qualifying, Narain could qualify seventh but despite a great start, he was left behind due to an engine misfire. Consequently, he could just finish eighth in race one. Miraculously, he clinched the pole position in race two owing to the reversed grid format. Commencing from pole, Narain spearheaded race two in the opening laps until tyre issues appeared once again and he began struggling with rear grip. The squad decided to pit him. Unfortunately, more bad luck was in store as a slow pitstop saw Narain briskly descending down the order.
Narain lamented after the race on Sunday that there were a lot of issues hence they were not adequately brisk throughout the weekend. A podium was possible in the second race during race two, but the pit stop took too long. He added that a lot of improvement is required all around and he hopes that they can work on these issues for the next round at Silverstone.
The slow pitstop remarkably affected Narain as he was stationary for over 12 seconds with a normal pitstop generally taking around six seconds. This implies that he was stationary for another 6 seconds which beyond doubt cost the podium. Narain trailed second place finisher Sergio Campana by 5.51 seconds and was simply 3.2 seconds adrift of third placed R. Agostini. Narain finished sixth after three rounds in the championship scoring 33 points.
The subsequent Auto GP World Series round is scheduled on 1st and 2nd June at Silverstone.
