Brands Hatch BF3: Mahadik scores podium on return

After spending over eight months away from the race track, Mahadik teamed up with Double R Racing to compete in the penultimate round of the British F3 championship.

The Kohlapur-born driver qualified 14th on the grid with a time that was, understandably, 1.596s off pole-sitter Enaam Ahmed.

However, he was much closer to the front runners in Saturday’s opening race, charging up to eighth by the time the chequered flag was dropped at the end of lap 8. Crucially, his eighth place finish gave him pole position for the reverse-grid race two.

Given how limited time he’s had in the car before turning up for the race weekend, one would have expected him to drop down the order in a matter of laps.

Contrary to expectations, he made a brilliant getaway and established a two seconds buffer at the front of the field.

Ultimately, he was defenseless to Toby Sowery - a multiple race-winner in the category - who was able to dive down the inside at Druids to take over the lead.

Nevertheless, the 19-year-old did a fantastic job of holding on to second position, especially after the safety car eradicated his six second advantage over third-placed driver James Pull.

It was Mahadik’s first podium finish in British F3, his previous result being a sixth place at last year’s Brands Hatch round.

The Double R Racing driver will take part in the final race of the weekend later today.

Update: Mahadik was declared the winner after Sowery, who finished first on road, was disqualified for failing post-race scrutineering.