![Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing [WSR], BMW 330e M Sport NGTC](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Jake-Hill-Laser-Tools-Racing-BMW.jpg "Photo: Pat Cranham")
Laser Tools Racing’s Jake Hill was pleased after two podium results and a fifth handed him the British Touring Car Championship points lead after Donington Park.
Hill’s weekend started on a challenging note, as he had to deal with the effects of food poisoning resulting in a stomach bug from the off on Saturday.
However, despite feeling under the weather, Hill managed to qualify his BMW in seventh for the opening race, even though he had the second-least hybrid allocation in the field.
From the fourth row of the grid for Sunday’s opening race, Hill capitalised on battling ahead of him to move into fourth, before a mistake at the chicane by Josh Cook on lap 12 saw him move into the final podium position, where he stayed to the finish.
Race two saw Hill hold the same position until a charging Tom Ingram battled through, but he later reclaimed the final podium spot when Ingram had to retire with a mechanical issue.
Drawn to start from ninth on the grid for the final race of the day, Hill persevered in an eventful race to take fifth and leave the Leicestershire circuit with a nine-point advantage at the top of the standings with just two meetings to go.
“It was a tough weekend for me physically as I battled illness from the opening session but we persevered for some great results and depart Donington with the championship lead which was the main goal,” said Hill.
“Considering we started race one in seventh, making good progress throughout the races and staying out of trouble has rewarded us with strong points and the lead in the standings.
“It’s still so tight at the top of the standings, and things can swing so quickly so we need to stay consistent and deliver our full potential every time we hit the track for the remaining two rounds!”