Podium and big points haul for Duncan

AutoGP – Imola, Italy, 23rd May 2010
Race 1: Qualified 4th, finished 4th
Race 2: Reverse grid start position 5th, finished 3rd

Duncan on the podium at Imola

Duncan on the podium at Imola

Duncan had his first event at Imola and came away with his first AutoGP podium, helping DAMS to top the teams’ table too.

The practice sessions showed promise and the pace continued into the qualifying session. Duncan was happy to finish his run on the first set of new tyres in second place. On the next set the car handling changed subtly and he finished the session with a time that put him fourth on the grid for race one and the fastest DAMS driver.

Duncan got a great start in race one but immediately got boxed in. He held fourth place for the first stint before the pitstop during which there was a problem with the right rear wheel nut which cost four seconds and two places. He rejoined in sixth and had the fortune to regain the lost two positions when Filippi and Pantano had spins.

Race two was much more dramatic, but luckily not for Duncan. He got a good getaway while to his left and behind major impacts occurred involving over half the field. Following a red flag the ten survivors restarted under the safety car with Duncan in third. For the whole of the sprint race he was pushing Miguez for second but the Spaniard didn’t make a mistake. Imola is notorious for its lack of overtaking opportunities but Duncan tried his hardest. He even had a last push over the line but was still two-hundredths of a second behind.

Duncan said: “It was a really good weekend. We got decent points and I’m now up to fourth in the series standings, level with Filippi and just three points behind Tambay in second. I can’t wait for Spa at the end of June. I’m getting more confident with the car and team and it’s great to be back on the podium so the next step is a win!”

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