[Race Recap] DDRL @ Circuit Paul Ricard
The DDRL grid took to the iconic Circuit Paul Ricard this week, delivering yet another thrilling chapter in the championship season. The weekend began with an eventful practice session under sunny skies, where drivers pushed the limits of their cars on the circuit’s long straights and challenging corners. Early reports suggested teams were experimenting with tire strategies and setup adjustments to optimize performance on the high-speed track.
Qualifying saw familiar faces rise to the top of the leaderboard. Adam Krukowski once again demonstrated his dominance, setting a blistering lap time to secure pole position. Close behind him was Ryder Thunderbolt, who looked determined to challenge Krukowski for the win. Darren Patel and Daniel Tramontana followed suit with solid performances, while Steve Danger and Ben Roehlke worked hard to break into the upper half of the grid.
Race day brought intense competition and plenty of drama. From the start, the battle between Krukowski and Thunderbolt electrified the crowd, with the two exchanging the lead multiple times throughout the race. Their closely matched pace kept fans on edge, culminating in a nail-biting finish where Krukowski crossed the line just 1.421 seconds ahead of Thunderbolt, claiming victory in one of the season's closest races.
The rest of the field wasn’t short on action either. Tramontana delivered a consistent and calculated drive, avoiding trouble and capitalizing on key moments to take the final podium spot. Behind him, the race took a chaotic turn as a racing incident involving Steve Danger dramatically altered the landscape of the competition.
Midway through the race, Danger misjudged a braking zone, colliding with Roehlke and Patel in a move that sent shockwaves through the paddock. The incident caused severe damage to both cars, forcing them to pit for extensive repairs and leaving them a full lap down on the leaders. Danger was swiftly disqualified by race control, marking a disappointing end to his weekend.
Despite the setback, Roehlke and Patel showcased resilience, rejoining the race and pushing hard to salvage points. Their efforts, however, weren’t enough to climb back into contention, leaving fans wondering what might have been after their strong start.
As the dust settled, Krukowski stood atop the podium with Thunderbolt and Tramontana rounding out the top three. This result tightens the championship standings as we approach the final stages of the season.
The DDRL now turns its focus to the next race weekend at the legendary Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom, starting Friday, December 20th. Fans can expect more high-octane action as the championship race intensifies.
