Sebring (Florida): The JRM Racing team, represented by India's Karun Chandhok and Britain's David Brabham and Peter Dumbreck, missed out on a possible podium finish due to a mechanical problem that cost them valuable time and finished 17th overall in the first round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, here Sunday.

JRM Racing climbed from the back of the grid to an impressive third overall with less than three of the 12-hour race left when its brand new Honda Performance Development ARX-03a developed a problem with the right-rear suspension. It cost the team 15 laps and 30 minutes.

Once back on the track, a great recovery resulted in a final placing of 17th overall and seventh in the LMP1 category.

Chandhok said: "We had a podium finish on the cards, if not overall. So, it was a great shame not to have made it into the top three. The car felt good for my final stint and to try to make up for lost time I pushed as hard as I could.

"It's a long time since I've driven two hours of qualifying laps! I have to say I really enjoyed my first taste of sportscar racing and I'm already looking forward to the next time." (IANS)