Shanghai Audi R8 LMS Cup: Patel battles to score points in both races

After a wet practice, Patel qualified sixth in Saturday's qualifying as newcomer Martin Rump took pole in the Super Pole, in damp conditions.

KCMG's Yuichi Nakayama was second as veteran GT female driver Rahel Frey completed the top three.

Former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong had a lowly eighth position as former MRF F2000 driver Alessio Picariello was fourth.

In the first race on Sunday, Krump took his maiden win ahead of Marchy Lee and Frey, as Yoong made up four places to finish fourth and Picariello completed the top five.

Patel, driving the Absolute Racing Audi GT3 car under Audi R8 LMS Cup banner lost a place in the race to finish seventh behind another newcomer Jan Kisiel.

Fight in race two

Frey took a commanding win in the second race on Sunday ahead of MGT teammate Picariello, the Belgian having overtaken Yoong in the process.

The former F1 driver settled for third after he had moved ahead of Krump while battling for second at the start, before Picariello took it from the Malaysian.

Krump further lost a place to Congfu Cheng as they completed the top five in Race 2. 

Patel battled with Nakayama to finish sixth, just 0.503s separating the two drivers at the end of 13-lap race.

With two podiums Frey leads the standings with 40 points as Patel sits seventh tied on 14 with Cheng, who is sixth.