Best qualifying performance of 2016 sees Strakka Racing start third

Ahead of today’s Six Hours of Nürburgring, Strakka Racing’s alternative line up of Jonny Kane and Lewis Williamson delivered the team’s best qualifying performance of the season to secure third place in LMP2 . The duo achieved a combined average time of 1.49.762 in the Strakka’s Gibson 015S, underlining the strong WEC debut for Williamson, who was driving the car for first time since his brief outing at the Rookie Test last year.

“It’s been a really good start to racing in WEC and Strakka has done a great job to prepare me for the weekend,” says Williamson. “There was a bit more in the tank but it was important not make any mistakes and I wanted to use the seat time to get a feel for the car in the damp conditions. The track was constantly changing and seeing the Audi go off in front me just showed how slippery it was but we came through it with a strong P3. I’ve still got loads to learn like dealing with the traffic in front and behind but I’m happy.”

Team principal Dan Walmsley was equally pleased with Williamson and the entire team’s efforts during the weekend so far. “Everyone at Strakka worked hard to make Lewis feel at ease and have the support to do the job on track,” says Walmsley. “Jonny, in particular, has been fast throughout the sessions but has also spent a lot of time with Lewis to guide him through his debut. We’ve changed the car a fair bit since Lewis’ short run in Bahrain but he worked hard for this weekend and was immediately and consistently on the pace. We know conditions can be so unpredictable here; the forecasts are changing all the time but we believe a podium is achievable.”