Christodoulou within seconds of podium finish at Daytona 24

Posted By Adam Christodoulou / Daytona, Endurance, Race Update / Career, Daytona, news / No Comments

Adam Christodoulou, Britain’s only Mercedes AMG GT factory racing driver, took on America’s biggest sports car race, the intimidating Daytona 24 Hours and after a record-breaking lap distance was covered by the lead cars, he crossed the line in fourth place – a mere 2.7 seconds off the podium.

The 28-year old Brit was joined in the No. 33 Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 by Jeroen Bleekemolen, Ben Keating and Luca Stolz. Taking it in turns to circulate the 5.73-km long Daytona International Speedway, the team lead the race through many of the difficult night-time hours.

 
With strategy key in such a tight competition battle, the team needed a safety car period, which would usually be common in an endurance race. However, luck didn’t go their way this weekend and the team had to make one extra splash for fuel whilst fighting for the lead in the remaining 15 minutes of the race.

“We needed about 10 seconds of fuel, which is nothing!” said the AMG driver, who finished third at Daytona last year. “ last year there was over 15 saftey car periods, this year there was only four. If we had known it would be such a green race, with no interruptions, then we would have changed our strategy, but you can never predict that for six hours you’re going to have no cautions.”

 
Of course, no one ever wants to wish for a safety car so, instead, Christodoulou prayed for some rain to spice things up and, from the look of the team’s radar their luck could have changed.

“There was a chance of rain, but it didn’t come in time. I’ve never wanted it to rain so much in my life! Still, sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t.”

With a good haul of points for the championship, the team was disappointed not to taste the Champagne but happy to start the season on the right foot. Although this was a one off event to join the team, Christodoulou was delighted to be able to support them in their championship bid.

 
“It’s always an incredible feat to finish a 24-hour race,” he concluded. “I wish the team all the luck for the rest of the season and would be delighted to join them again if they need an extra driver.”

Adam’s 2018 plans will be announced in the coming weeks. Follow him on social media for all of the updates.

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