Boutsen Ginion Racing’s Benjamin Lessennes insists he is not feeling pressure for this weekend’s FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) races at Zandvoort, despite the venue being the only one on the calendar which he has prior knowledge of.
Lessennes, who is still acting as a stand-in driver for the recovering Tiago Monteiro in 2018, is heading to the circuit which he has raced on previously in a TCR car, having competed at the track in the 2016 and 2017 TCR Benelux series.
The Belgian racer admits that whilst he expects to be stronger as a driver as a result, his overall performance will also be dictated by that of the Honda Civic Type-R, which he does not expect to be best suited to the seaside circuit.
“Zandvoort will be the only track this year that when I arrive there I will have a base [knowledge and set-up] because all the other tracks are and will be new to me,” explained Lessennes.
“Of course, this will be an advantage but we know the Honda was not always the fastest in the past there so we will have to work a lot, although I am really confident.”
The 18-year-old says that being able to race at the track without any pressure will help his efforts, which have seen him claim a best result of fourth in the most recent race at the Nürburgring.
“I’m happy going to Zandvoort, because it’s a track I know. But I like fast tracks and Zandvoort is not exactly a fast track. Because I know the track, I have to be really focused and make no mistakes.
“It will be a hard job but there is no pressure. I am only 18 so first I am here to learn, do a good job and keep the car of Tiago Monteiro on track but also try to make the podium quickly.”