New Malden's Tom Onslow-Cole helped RAM Racing to the top of the 2015 24 hour Series standings after a second place finish in the second round of the championship in Italy at the weekend.

The 27-year-old and team-mates Paul White and Adam Christodoulou had led the 12 hours of Mugello event on Friday afternoon, but a queue at the fueling station cost them more than a lap on Saturday.

And it was a gap the trio were unable to bridge on Saturday leaving the number 30 Mercedes – one of seven SLS AMG GT3s in the race – to cross the line in second place.

It was enough to secure top spot in the championship with four races to go, leaving team boss Dan Shufflebottom in philosophical mood.

“We came here for the race win but we’ll take second, as we have achieved our ultimate goal of leading the championship,” he said.

“It wasn’t that we had bad luck, it’s just that the winners had some good luck and that’s just how it goes, we can’t complain.”

“The strategy was good, the pit crew were flawless and the drivers did exactly what was asked of them, so I can’t ask for more than that.”

Onslow-Cole and Christodoulou returned to the team this weekend, following a second place finish in Dubai 24 Hours, the opening round of the championship, two months ago.

However, it was White’s first time with RAM Racing and his debut race in an SLS, but he didn’t fail to impress by regularly lapping faster than some of the professional drivers on-track alongside him.

“Paul did a mega job,” added Shufflebottom.

“To have an amateur driver as strong as him is a huge asset to our team – that’s where we can make the most time up compared to our competitors.”

“In all honesty, our car isn’t suited to this track, but we worked hard and got the most out of it – to finish so far ahead of all of the other six Mercedes SLS AMG GT3s show how well the team did.

“Going into round three of the six-race championship in the lead is perfect – we’d love to take the inaugural 24H Series overall honours and add to our ELMS championship win from 2013.”

The team, which is also contesting the British GT Championship with a second Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, will return for the third round of the 24H Series, the 12 Hours of Zandvoort, on 30 May.