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British racer Jon Lancaster
hopes that his stunning pace last time out, which netted him the fastest
lap in the race, will continue into this weekend’s rounds of the Formula 3
Euroseries at Le
Mans. Although the 19 year-old has
not raced at the classic French track, he has tested there previously in
Formula Renault and now aims to take his first pole position in the
crucial qualifying session.
The F3
rookie is currently second in the rookies standings, just four points
adrift of the leader, and the best of the British drivers who are all in
their second or third season in F3.
Now the Multiflight-backed teenager will be going all out to retake
the lead in the newcomers stakes, contested by 11 first-year drivers, that
he held up to the last round in Spain.
“My
main focus is on clinching the rookie cup now and retaining the mantle of
being the best of the British runners. This year’s championship has been
the closest ever, with often the top 20 separated by a second and
sometimes the whole field. Around a third of the drivers are in only their
first year in F3 so to be the best of those would be
good.”
Despite being one of the new
guys, Jon has often shown a tremendous pace as he gets to grips with the
ART Grand Prix Team Dallara F308 which has netted him three podium
finishes in F3, including a faultless run to victory at the Nürburgring
and third place in Pau back in May. In the penultimate rounds this
weekend, the BRDC Superstar is aiming to kick start the event in
Thursday’s official free practice with a return to the form that has seen
him easily amongst the quickest in previous rounds.
The
reigning Eurocup Formula Renault vice-champion knows that if the car is up
to scratch, his maiden pole could see him on his way to securing a
Saturday race win and so give him maximum points in his bid to move up the
order. “I’ve shown many times
that I have the speed in free practice, now it’s important to continue
that through into the qualifying session. This weekend as ever I will do
the most professional job I can and if I have the equipment then I can
win, if I don’t, then I won’t. It really is as simple as
that.
“Although I haven’t raced at
Le
Mans before, I know the circuit
reasonably well and know that overtaking will be pretty much limited to
the first corner only, so more than ever qualifying will be critical. I’m
more comfortable in myself and confident going into the weekend and
hopeful of a good finish over the final two rounds.”
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