Benjamin Lessennes was delighted to get a last-minute chance to race in the TCR Europe series at Monza this weekend, just days after it was announced that his participation in the FIA World Touring Car Cup this year would end.
Lessennes was called up to race for the Autodis Racing by THX team on Wednesday, meaning the 19-year-old Belgian had to make last-minute plans to travel to the circuit in northern Italy.
Replacing Loris Cencetti in one of the team’s Honda cars, the deal allows the Belgian to continue in the Honda family, albeit in a series which he has no prior experience of.
“This is what we can call a last-minute chance,” said Lessennes. “On Wednesday night, my manager called saying that I would be joining Autodis by THX driving one of their Honda Civic TCR’s in Monza.
“I had to be in Italy on the next day to adjust my seat. Everything happened very fast and there were no flights available, so we decided to drive, arriving on Thursday evening. Needless to say, how happy and motivated I am!”
Lessennes improved his pace throughout Friday, ending second practice in 19th out of 28 cars, just over a second and a half off the pace as he learned the Autodromo di Monza – a circuit at which he has never previously raced.
“It will again be my first race in Monza, and, also, I’ll have to take into account 20 kg of additional ballast, as any new driver in the championship… which is not an advantage… But none of this matters.
“What matters is that I’ll grasp this opportunity with both hands and do my best to thank Autodis by THX in the best way possible for their trust in me.”
Team-manager Christina Jupsin added that the team had decided to sign Lessennes in part due to his performances as a stand-in driver at Boutsen Ginion Racing in WTCR, where he secured seven top ten finishes in the first part of the year in a highly-competitive field.
“We are very happy to welcome Benjamin this weekend”, said Jupsin. “He is, without a doubt, one of the great young talents in touring car racing, as shown by his performance in the FIA WTCR.
“As Autodis is a member of the Honda family, it made great sense for us to do something together here in Monza”.