In only his third outing wearing the Red Bull Junior Team colours, seventeen year old Daniel Morad would win a series championship, take the final race in commanding fashion then go on to receive one of the teams highest honours as Junior of The Week.In the final race weekend of the Formula BMW USA series, Daniel would need only a good result in one of two races to secure the championship. On Saturday, starting from the off-pole position it became a matter of 'would the weather cooperate'. As the cars hit the track the rain began to fall and Daniel would have to start the race on slicks. By the end of the first lap the rain was falling harder and the decision was made to bring Daniel in for a tire change. The team however, was quite prepared. "When we thought about the potential for rain, Antonio (Ferrari) had the Eurointernational crew practice some pit stops" noted Daniel. "It paid off when we were able to complete a four-tire change in less than 20 seconds. Even though we came out in ninth spot - one short of where we needed to be, our main competitor in the series went a lap down in the process of completing their pit stop."
From there, it was a matter of Daniel just staying focused on completing the race. Conditions worsened but Daniel was able to move up a few positions and slotted into fourth. He would comfortably cross the line P4, not taking any chances just to reach the podium. "Today it was all about the championship" offered an obviously happy Morad at the post-race ceremonies. "We got that done with as little drama as possible. I was not about to risk anything going after my team mate who sat in third. I am very happy that he would score his first podium for the team and that we could wrap up the championship."
On Sunday Daniel would put an exclamation point on his championship season by taking the final race in commanding fashion. In the flag-to-flag victory Daniel would reset his own record for most wins in a season (6) as well as set a new race-lap record (1:23.464). Having won both the first and last race in the series, Daniel lead the championship for the entire season. "Today, the team told me to just go for it and they gave me the car to do it. I really would like to thank everyone at Eurointernational for a fantastic season." Over fourteen races Daniel would score two poles, ten podiums and five fastest laps.
All of this did not go unnoticed by those at the Red Bull Junior Team who selected Daniel to join the team part way through the season. He would race for the first time sporting the Red Bull livery during round five at San Jose scoring a second-place finish in race ten. As the first member of the Red Bull Junior Team to secure a championship in 2007, Daniel has been chosen the Red Bull Junior of the Week.
With the Formula BMW USA season over, Daniel will have an opportunity to relax before heading to Europe for some testing with Eurointernational in advance of the Formula BMW World Final. There will also be some fitness training at the Red Bull Junior Team headquarters in Austria.
"It has been an incredible season and we are really happy to have added the 2007 Championship to our 2006 Rookie Championship" offered Daniel. "The Formula BMW USA series has been a fantastic place to compete and to learn race craft." He continued, "I also have to thank Red Bull for the opportunities ahead of me and for their support. I would also like to thank my sponsors, Statik Mountain, Metro Directories, Maple Leaf Mortgages and Level Ten Communications for all their support throughout the season and of course, all my family, friends and supporters."
Media Contact: Chris Jameson // Level Ten Communications
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