Daniel Morad is Rotax DD2 World Karting Champion!

November 23, 2010

Over the week of November 15-22, Canadian Daniel Morad turned in his GP3 Series car and jumped back into a go-kart for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, an invite-only world championship karting event held this year in southern Italy. Morad qualified for the event back in winter while competing in the Florida Winter Tour during his off-season.

Competing in the 72-competitor strong Rotax DD2 class, Morad first qualified on the pole-position, and won the first heat race before disaster struck. A DNF in the second heat really hurt his chances. But a strong second place in his third heat allowed him to start pre-final heat in 20th place. Working up to 13th in the Pre-Final, Morad made the best of the 25-lap World Championship final. Making his way to second place by the halfway point, Morad tracked down the leader in the closing laps before making a brilliant move to take the lead on the final lap. Holding on for the win, Morad crossed the finish line in a spectacular fashion, taking the win before crashing over the second-place finisher and into the outside fence. Shaking it off, Morad became a karting World Champion!

The full report can be found on eKartingNews.ca.

A video of the spectacular finish can be found here.

Morad Drives from 21st to 12th in Hungary Race #2

August 1, 2010

Canadian-Lebanese driver Daniel Morad, starting from 21st on the grid after a stall on the line in yesterday's race, made good progress through the field in today's event. A strong start elevated the GMH Motorsport-backed driver to 15th and he then passed two more cars before finding himself delayed behind Rio Haryanto for the rest of the 18-lap race, unable to find a way through, and leaving him to finish a frustrated 12th place.

"I really felt at every stage that I could have gone around a second faster than we were lapping, but that's the nature of the track here with these cars - you just cannot get close enough to make a pass."

Status GP Press Release

Daniel Qualifies 7th, but Mechanical issue delegates him to 21st in Hungary Race #1

July 31, 2010

GMH Motorsport-backed driver Daniel Morad's fortunes took a dive right at the start of the race. Lined up on the grid in fifth place, the Canadian-Lebanese's car developed a hydraulic problem on the grid and when the when the lights went out his car stalled. When he did eventually get going he was last, and although he quickly passed four cars, he found himself stuck in a train of cars and unable to rise beyond 21st at the finish.

Status GP team manager Simon Cayzer said: "Daniel followed the normal protocol on the grid to rectify the problem, but it didn't work and we're investigating the cause."

"At the start, I held the clutch and selected the gear but the hydraulic pressure was low and I stalled. Once I got going I took a few places, but it's so hard to pass here and there little I could do once in a train of cars."

Status GP Press Release

Morad Tops Rain Practice in Hockenheim

July 23, 2010

GMH Motorsport-backed driver Daniel Morad continued his strong form by topping the times in the GP3 Series practice session at Hockenheim ahead of this weekend's two races at the German Grand Prix.

The Canadian-Lebanese driver, fresh from winning last time out at Silverstone two weeks ago, proved his wet weather driving skills in GP3's first rain-affected race meeting of the year. With rain falling heavily at first, Morad was immediately a contender, before a mid-session red flag brought an enforced pause. When the cars went back out the rain had abated, and as the track became ever dryer Morad timed his final lap perfectly to set the fastest time, despite a spinning car causing him to lift off the throttle in the final corner.

"I'm pleased to back up my performance at Silverstone with a strong showing here - it shows developing consistency. It was a shame the session was blighted with so many yellows, I know we have more speed to come in these conditions."

Status GP Press Release

Meet Daniel & Robert aged 11 & 12

July 20, 2010

Whilst standing in the hospitality queue in Barcelona, Status GP Team Manager Simon Cayzer mentioned that he had an old picture of Robert and Daniel from back in their Karting days...

...What he didn't know back then is that we almost never miss out on an opportunity of making our young driver's cringe a little. So, we got our hands on a copy immediately!

When we saw just how adorable the picture actually was, we went to the two stars and asked if they would be happy to re-enact the historical moment - which according to Robert was the only time that Daniel had ever beaten him: "I knew this picture would come back to haunt me!"

Both drivers graciously agreed to do it, to the delight of Daniel who kept smiling the entire session before being unceremoniously pushed off the top spot of the podium by his teammate.

Read the interview

GP3 Series Media

Morad Scores Dominant Win at Silverstone!

July 11, 2010

GMH Motorsport-backed driver Daniel Morad hit the heights at Silverstone's British Grand Prix meeting on Sunday as he took an emphatic lights-to-flag victory in the GP3 Series' second race of the weekend.

The Canadian-Lebanese driver's triumph is a landmarkachievement for Lebanese motorsport, marking its first major international circuit racing win. "This is a fantastic reward for the Auchi family and GMH Motorsport, who I'm very thankful to for putting their faith in me, and also my family and Status," said Morad.

From second place on the grid, Morad got a perfect start to slingshot past polesitter Mirko Bortolotti into a lead he would never lose. The duo ran closely for the first six laps, but Morad withstood the pressure and gradually moved clear. By lap seven, he had established a cushion of more than 1.0sec to the Ferrari Academy Driver, and from there was able to control the race and increased the gap to 5.0sec to win in commanding fashion. The 20-year-old emphasised his dominance by also setting the fastest lap of the race.

The victory, Status GP's first since winning the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport championship in May 2009, elevated Morad to sixth in the drivers' championship and the team to third in the teams' standings.

Status GP managing director David Kennedy said: "We are absolutely delighted for Daniel and GMH Motorsport to score Status GP's first GP3 victory. Team principal Teddy Yip sets the highest standards in everything we do, and it's paying off. The win is a just reward for Teddy, and also Daniel's race engineer and team manager Simon Cayzer and his entire race team who've all contributed so much."

"That start was something else - as perfect as it gets. That was the key to the race. With clean air out front and a fantastic car that felt so good to drive, it was really a case of building a cushion and then controlling the pace. Once I got over a second ahead of Bortolotti, that was it. We learned a lot yesterday, applied it all today perfectly and setting fastest lap was an excellent bonus."

Status GP Press Release

Morad Takes Points Finish in Race #1 at Silverstone

July 10, 2010

GMH Motorsport-backed driver Daniel Morad scored points again with a seventh-placed finish in the GP3 Series race at Silverstone today, and in the process set himself up with a front-row start for the second race on Sunday in front of the raceday crowd at the British Grand Prix.

The Canadian-Lebanese driver got a good start to retain his seventh place on the grid, and safely negotiated a frantic first few corners. Although he lost out to Carlin's Dean Smith later on during the lap, he withstood further pressure from behind and settled into a good race pace. As the 14-lap race progressed, Morad got faster and began to reel Smith back in over the second half. He moved back up to seventh when a car in front retired, but with overtaking proving difficult on the fast, sweeping 3.66-mile circuit he could not dislodge Smith and had to be content with a two-point haul. With the GP3 Series' rule of the top eight finishers lining up on the grid in reverse order for Sunday's second race, Morad will start tomorrow from second and is gunning for a first podium finish.

"I can't complain about seventh, and it's good to be back in the points. Clearly the bonus is a front-row start for tomorrow's race and I'm hopeful we can capitalise and get a strong result from there."

Status GP Press Release

Morad heads Status trio during tough street fight

June 27, 2010

Status Grand Prix's drivers endured a torrid time in today's second GP3 Series race on the Valencia street circuit, with Daniel Morad's 12th place the best result as incidents and penalties defined the team's day.

GMH Motorsport driver Morad, starting from 19th on the grid, passed team-mate Ivan Lukashevich to move up to 17th at the end of lap one, and then steadily picked his way through the midfield traffic to get into 13th by the middle of the race. He then engaged in a long battle with Jenzer driver Simon Trummer, and with two laps to go he made the pass. The Canadian-Lebanese then set his fastest race lap - within the Top 10 fastest of the race - and secured a 12th place finish.

"I'm pleased, not so much by the result as the performance. I feel happier with the car, it's predictable and consistent, and my own performance was better today. It's good to take a positive into Silverstone."

Status GP Press Release

Morad scores another strong finish in Istanbul

May 30, 2010

Lebanon's Daniel Morad completed a strong weekend in Turkey with a second points-scoring finish as he took fifth place in Sunday's GP3 Series race at Istanbul Park.

Starting from fourth place on the grid, Morad got away well to hold his position and immediately joined the battle at the front over the opening laps. He lost out to ART Grand Prix's Alexander Rossi on lap two, but from there the GMH Motorsport driver was consistent with a strong race pace. In the closing moments of the 15-lap race he drew close enough to challenge fourth-placed Nico Muller, but in the end elected to play it safe and secure another fifth-placed finish. "I knew I could attack Muller," said Morad, "but I also know the importance of getting a solid platform of points. The risk wasn't worth the reward."

"Two point-scores represent a good job this weekend, and are positive for our sponsors and GMH Motorsport. Consistent top five finishes gives a good base to build from, and really our season starts here."

Status GP Press Release

Morad scores points in GP3 Series feature race

May 29, 2010

Lebanon's Daniel Morad opened his championship points account with a fighting fifth-place finish in the GP3 Series feature race at Istanbul on Saturday afternoon.

From sixth place on the grid, the GMH Motorsport driver got a good start and leapt up to fourth. Initially the 20-year-old then pushed for third place, but on lap five lost his position to Alexander Rossi after the ART Grand Prix driver got a good tow, which began a race-long battle with Carlin's Dean Smith. This was finally resolved when Smith's car stopped on the penultimate lap, allowing Morad clean air to cruise home fifth and register points in the championship which put him into the Top 10 of the standings.

"Getting points today was important. The start was pretty hectic, but I got away well and felt I had the pace to fight with the top three. But the battle with Rossi and Smith defined my race, and to come away with fifth is OK. I'm confident for tomorrow's race starting fourth."

Status GP Press Release

Morad secures Top Six position in qualifying

May 29, 2010

Lebanon's Daniel Morad flew the flag for Status Grand Prix in Saturday morning's qualifying session by landing sixth place on the grid for the GP3 Series feature race.

The 20-year-old showed good speed throughout the 30-minute session around the 5.33km Istanbul Park circuit, and his final lap made sure of his second top six starting spot from two events in the new Formula One support-race series. After initially running in the top 10 of the time sheets, the GMH Motorsport-managed driver pitted mid-session and made some positive set-up changes which helped elevate him to the third row of the grid for this afternoon's race, the first of two during the Turkish Grand Prix weekend.

"I'm pleased with the improvements we made to the car overnight, and they paid off. Maybe there was more speed to come but we're definitely within striking distance for the race."

Status GP Press Release

GMH Motorsport places Daniel Morad in GP3 Series

May 5, 2010

Lebanon's leading racing driver Daniel Morad is to contest the full season in the GP3 Series, the new championship supporting Formula One™ races, with UK-based team Status Grand Prix.

Management company GMH Motorsport has finalised the deal for its driver Morad to race in GP3 after strong performances with Status Grand Prix in the three pre-season tests, in which the 20-year-old ended the final test at Barcelona last month in the Top Six of the timesheets. Morad will race the 280hp Renault-powered Dallara chassis at eight Formula One™ Grands Prix across Europe, starting this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

GMH Motorsport, a growing force in Middle Eastern motorsport, ran Morad in 2008-09 under the banner of A1 Team Lebanon, when they made Lebanese racing history with their strong results in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. It has now identified the GP3 Series as the next stepping stone in Morad's career.

"Following Danny's strong last season in A1GP we felt there was unfinished business and great potential in further developing his driving career," said Nicholas Roe, GMH Motorsport's Sporting Director. "The inaugural GP3 season and Status GP seemed to be the perfect fit for Danny and following his strong official GP3 testing we are confident that Danny will provide exciting results in this series. We are also delighted to bring our commercial partners in Lebanon into this series, and in particular the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, who will be looking to GMH Motorsport and Danny to promote Lebanon as an exciting and dynamic tourist destination."

Morad, who was born in Ontario, Canada, has a multitude of North American karting titles to his name before winning the 2006 Formula BMW USA championship. For his first full season of European racing, the race engineer assigned to his GP3 car will be Status GP team manager Simon Cayzer, which Morad sees as a major positive.

"Simon and I have worked together before in A1GP and we have a great understanding, which has already paid dividends while we've developed the new GP3 car in pre-season testing," said Morad. "This is a fantastic opportunity provided to me by GMH Motorsport, and with them behind me I'm confident I can have a very strong year with Status GP."

Status Grand Prix's Team Principal, Teddy Yip Jr, is delighted the team is working with GMH Motorsport and Morad. "GMH Motorsport is a great business partner for the team to have in 2010, and we're committed to bringing them on-track success," he said. "Daniel is a definite talent with great natural ability, and we know he's a serious contender this year and has a great future ahead of him."

About Status Grand Prix: One of the fastest-emerging motorsport teams in the UK, Status Grand Prix is running a three-car entry in the GP3 Series in 2010. Founded in 2005, it is the reigning A1GP World Cup of Motorsport champion having run its A1 Team Ireland entry to the title with driver Adam Carroll. Its dedication to excellence and strong engineering has also brought race wins for the Canada and Netherlands A1GP entries, as well as success in the GT arena. This year it has expanded to a new base at Silverstone as it takes on the challenge of the new GP3 Series.

For any media and sponsorship enquires about Status Grand Prix please contact: info@statusgp.com. Tel: +44(0)8450 17 16 15, Fax: +44(0)8450 17 16 14.

Daniel Named eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month for March 2010

April 7, 2010

How would you define your prototypical motorsports driver? Someone with talent behind the wheel of course, but in today's society you need to be more than that. Personality can go a long way as you need to deal with sponsors and the media in a 24/7 environment. Someone that many feel fit that criteria is Canadian Daniel Morad, the eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month for March 2010.

Beginning karting at the age of 8, Morad has developed through the karting ranks and is currently one of the young talents in motorsports today. Moving from karts to open wheel cars, Morad claimed the 2007 Formula BMW USA Championship and recorded a fourth place result at the Formula BMW World Final in Valencia, Spain. In 2008, Morad competed in the Formula Atlantic Championship but made the move to be the full time driver for Team Lebanon in A1GP.

The full article can be found here.

Daniel Morad wins Florida Winter Tour Rotax Max DD2 Championship; earns second trip to World Finals

April 7, 2010

Daniel Morad entered Saturday's action with a massive lead in the DD2 category, the Goodwood Karting/Intrepid driver having won three of four races on the year. When the green flag came out for the main, almost 30 karts roared into Turn 1, with PSL Karting.com's Kyle Herder leading the way.

That didn't last. Morad serenely moved into second, then into the lead on Lap 3 and never looked back. Behind him, Cody Hodgson and Herder waged quite the battle for second spot. Things turned nasty when Cody assumed that second position; as the pair entered the final turn, they collided and Herder launched up the side of Hodgson's OGP/Tony Kart entry. Herder was a DNF on the spot, and Hodgson, water pouring from his damaged radiator, received the meatball a lap later, ending his race as well.

The remainder of the article can be found here.

Morad interviewed by F1 Weekly

March 19, 2010

After his first test in the new GP3 Series, Daniel took some time to do an interview with F1 Weekly. Discussing the past 3 years of his racing career, as well as his current plans for GP3. Have a listen.

The interview can be found on the Grand Prix Weekly website.

**Daniel's interview starts approx. 25 minutes into the podcast.