Podium finish for Armaan

India’s Armaan Ebrahim ended the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series on a high with one podium and a fourth in the concluding round’s double-header at the historic Sebring International Raceway in Florida.

The 26-year-old, along with his Sri Lankan team-mate Dilantha Malagamuwa, came up with two stunning drives while overcoming gearbox issues, which led to a pit-lane start for the second race as the duo picked up valuable points to finish creditable second in the championship.

JK Tyre brand ambassador Armaan will participating in the Super Trofeo world final, a double-header that will conclude on Sunday at the same venue.

Despite the late arrival of the car, Armaan and Dilantha qualified third for both races but gearbox problems plagued them through the day while denying them possible higher finishes.

As part of strategy, Dilantha went out first in Race One, but he struggled with the gearbox before handing over to Armaan who drove a brilliant second half of the race to come in third. Armaan all but missed the second race as the team decided to change the gearbox. The work was still in progress when the rest of the cars lined up on the start grid.

However, providence smiled on Armaan by way of rains which delayed the start while forcing the cars back to the pits for a change of tyres.

The delay provided just enough time for Armaan’s car to be readied for a pit-lane start. The pair then carved through the field to finish fourth.

Summing up the final round of the series, Armaan said: “Our car arrived only at 5 am on Thursday. So, there was literally no time to do any work on the car. The three free practice sessions went off quite decently for us and we qualified third for both races.

“In Race One, we went with a different strategy and sent out Dilantha first. We had a gearbox problem. But soon I made my way up to third.”