Daniel Perry and JTM Engineering left Silverstone with two podiums from two races, including a season-best P2 in Sunday’s 100-minute GTA Endurance race.
Following a difficult opening round at Snetterton, the team arrived at Silverstone better prepared and with a stronger understanding of the car. That progress translated into results, with Perry taking P3 in Saturday’s Sprint before going one better on Sunday.
“I cannot complain at all at two podiums from two races this weekend,” said Perry. “Coming into Silverstone we felt better prepared than our previous round at Snetterton and we definitely did close the gap to the top.”
Sunday’s Endurance race brought a different challenge. Temperatures reached 27°C, grip deteriorated throughout the day and oil and fuel spills made an already demanding circuit even more difficult. As the only driver, Perry had to complete the full 100 minutes in extreme cockpit temperatures.
“The full 100 mins race was in some ways harder but also easier than expected,” he explained. “I could really feel the improvements in my physical endurance by the end of the race.”
The car itself was not at its optimum. Setup changes made for the full fuel load and higher track temperatures went too far, leaving Perry struggling with an unstable rear end under braking and low-speed acceleration.
Despite this, he kept the class leader within sight until the pit-stop cycle. With the leader emerging ahead on fresh tyres while Perry retained his own, the decision was made to manage the gap to P3 rather than risk losing the podium chasing the leader.
“I basically knew from that moment it was time to consolidate and maintain the gap to P3 over pushing ahead.”
That decision ultimately secured P2 in GTA, and highlighted another important part of Perry’s development as an endurance driver: knowing when to push and when to manage the result.
The weekend also provided valuable data for a team still building experience with the car.
“The biggest takeaway from Silverstone is just more knowledge,” said Perry. “The knowledge gained this time around was specific to the high speed, smooth surface you would expect from an F1 grade circuit.”
With limited running to date, every race continues to add to the team’s understanding of the car, while Perry’s physical preparation, race management and communication with the team continue to develop.
The result has also changed the team’s expectations.
“I honestly was heading into Silverstone thinking it would be a real scrap just to get one podium, yet alone two and a season best of P2.”
Now, after two podiums at Silverstone, Perry and JTM Engineering head into the next round with considerably more confidence — and a new question to answer.
“We are genuinely now heading to the next event asking ourselves: is P1 on the table now?”
Photos by @argephotos
