Harry King claimed the first podium for BWT Lechner Racing at the start of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season 2024. At the warm and sunny Autodromo Dino and Enzo Ferrari at Imola/Italy, the Brit nearly took the lead at the start of the race from P2 on the grid, but in the end had to settle in P2, securing very valuable points for the championship. The former British Porsche Carrera Cup Champion is already looking forward for maybe changing the order at the season highlight in Monaco in one weeks time, where he already scored victory one year ago.
The two rookies, Robert de Haan and Theo Oeverhaus, completed a great team result for BWT Lechner Racing in P4 and P5, also finishing P1 and P2 in the rookie classification.
17-year young de Haan from the Netherlands started from third on the grid and after a good get-away tried an early attack in the first corner, but as a consequence lost a position as it got very tight and he had to avoid a collision. Later in the race, it was not possible to get the place back as overtaking is nearly impossible at the rather tight Imola track without counting on a mistake of the other driver. So the winner of the Benelux Porsche Carrera Cup 2023 put in a very mature performance without ever running the risk of throwing away a good result in his first Supercup race for BWT Lechner Racing.
Theo Oeverhaus started from P8 and was able to avoid a lot of midfield chaos around him. The 19-year-old reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East made up three positions and showed that he is immediately competitive in his first Supercup race ever.
BWT Lechner Racing Team Principal Robert Lechner: “Already after qualifying I was quite content with P2, P3 and P8. The race gave further proof that the intense preparation of our whole team has paid off and we are competitive. We have the two strongest rookie drivers, and we are also leading the Team championship after the first race. But we also have seen that the competition is very strong and we have to continue to work hard and stay absolutely focused.”
BWT Lechner Racing Team Manager Michael Schöch: “The first race is in the books, and it´s great to see that all our drivers made it to the podium and can leave Imola with a trophy. But after the race is also before the next race and we are already preparing for the season highlight in Monaco in one week´s time.”
Harry King (P2): “It was a strong form to start into the championship season with P2 in qualifying and in the race. I had a very good initial get-away off the line, but it was just not enough to chop in in front of Larry, so in the end I had to concede the position. From then on it was quite an average race, I just had to make sure to bring the car home safely. Of course it would have been nice to win, but we have to look at the big picture.”
Robert de Haan (P4): “Winning the rookie classification was a very good achievement, and also P4 in the overall classification is a good result. So a good start into the season, but we are already focusing on the next challenges, especially looking forward to Monaco!”
Theo Oeverhaus (P5): “It was a good feeling to stand on an F1 podium in my first Supercup race and finishing in P2 in the rookie classification. It was a good race overall and I am glad I was able to make up a few positions and score quite a few points at my debut.”