By finishing third, Patel has become the first Indian in the circuit's two-year history to finish on the podium. Compatriot Akhil Khushlani put in a stellar performance to finish in fourth place.
Armed with the glory of becoming the first Indian driver to win the gruelling 24 hours of Nurburgring in May, Patel has further cemented his position as one of the best junior drivers in the world through his results today.
Having returned to single-seater racing after a gap of four years, the victory marks a phenomenal return for the young JK Tyre prodigy.
Racing for US Formula Project, the driver put in a commendable performance in Round 2 of the Series at Paul Ricard, France and in Round 3 at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium to finish in the top ten, but missed out in Round 4 at Silverstone due to a rejected visa.
Recounting the end of his race, Patel had a big smile at the clean battle where he got both Ikhwan and Jeffri at the hairpin on the last lap. Ikhwan then regained his lead at the next turn while Jeffri made a dive on the inside a few turns before the finish line.
"Obviously it's a great feeling. I got into third place at the start and as the race went on, I gained a little and I lost a little. Then lap by lap I started chipping away at Nabil and Afiq. Then Nabil caught up to him with two laps to go and that's when it got tight between the both of them," said Patel, who set the fastest time of the day with 1:50.803.
"It was a really really tight race. I was fighting for the lead with Afiq on the last lap and Nabil was also there and I think we were all over the place. At the end of the day, to finish on the podium was good but to know I could have won the race it doesn't feel as great.
"I know I have the pace to be with the leaders, it did take me a while at the straights to build up a rhythm and get faster and faster and faster, so I know what to do now and what not to do. It should be good," he added. MORE
