India's youngest racing sensation Aditya Patel created history by finishing the Round 11 race of the JK Racing Asia Series with a fantastic podium finish at the Budh International Circuit here today.
By finishing third, Patel has become the first Indian in the circuit's two-year history to finish on the podium.
Compatriot Akhil Khushlani put in a stellar performance to finish in fourth place.
Armed with the glory of becoming the first Indian driver to win the gruelling 24 hours of Nurburgring in May, Patel has further cemented his position as one of the best junior drivers in the world through his results today.
Having returned to single-seater racing after a gap of four years, the victory marks a phenomenal return for the young JK Tyre prodigy.
Racing for US Formula Project, the driver put in a commendable performance in Round 2 of the Series at Paul Richard, France and in Round 3 at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium to finish in the top ten, but missed out in Round 4 at Silverstone due to a rejected visa.
Recounting the end of his race, Patel had a big smile at the clean battle where he got both Ikhwan and Jeffri at the hairpin on the last lap. Ikhwan then regained his lead at the next turn while Jeffri made a dive on the inside a few turns before the finish line.
"Obviously it's a great feeling. I got into third place at the start and as the race went on, I gained a little and I lost a little. Then lap by lap I started chipping away at Nabil and Afiq. Then Nabil caught up to him with two laps to go and that's when it got tight between the both of them," said Patel, who set the fastest time of the day with 1:50.803.
"It was a really tight race. I was fighting for the lead with Afiq on the last lap and Nabil was also there and I think we were all over the place. At the end of the day, to finish on the podium was good but to know I could have won the race it doesn't feel as great.
"I know I have the pace to be with the leaders, it did take me a while at the straights to build up a rhythm and get faster and faster and faster, so I know what to do now and what not to do. It should be good," he added.
Representing championship-leading team Euro international, Khushlani moved up from his eighth place start in today's race to finish fourth.
The 22-year-old Khushlani raced in the series in 2009 when it was known as the Formula BMW, and had two podium finishes and top 5 finishes in over 12 races. He was a guest driver in the series last year during the Inaugural Indian Grand Prix and so is well versed with the track.
"The race was brilliant. I just kept my pace, drove sensibly and didn't want to take risks. Eighth to fourth, I am quite happy with that and I hope tomorrow I can go for the podium," he said.
Khushlani had to make some good manoeuvres and had good battles with Calvin Wong and Earl Bamber before making his moves on both Aston Hare and Rookie driver Aidan Wright on his way up. Hare was not too impressed with his own results saying "Again I didn't get off the line properly but otherwise we were quick."
It is worth a mention that both Patel and Khushlani have been a part of the JK Tyre motorsport program where they graduated from national karting and racing championships to Asian and European levels of racing.
It was a moving moment for Afiq Ikhwan, who claimed the first place. Ikhwan is on a winning streak after claiming both races in Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit at the last outing, and after a tough battle at the end, the win was worth it.
The 21-year-old crossed the line just ahead of compatriot Nabil Jeffri of Euro international after the duo and Patel changed positions a few times at the closing stages of the race right through to the chequered flag.
"In the beginning I had a really good pace but the conditions of the car deteriorated after five laps and I don't know why, we have to find out the problem. After lap 5 I saw Nabil closing the gap, he was coming really fast from third but I just did my job and continue doing what I do and kept defending my line right to the end of the race," he said.