Lestrup Racing Team in top three fight of close Anderstorp qualifying
Lestrup Racing Team driver Oliver Söderström fought for the top three positions in the STCC TCR Scandinavia qualifying session at Anderstorp, with team-mate Robin Knutsson securing two top six positions.
”Oliver put in two solid results and Robin continues to impress us, especially on a track like Anderstorp which is really different to what we usually race on. We are still a bit behind the pole position time, but we have historically always done better in the races and the goal is obviously to gain further positions tomorrow,” said Fredrik Lestrup, co-owner of Lestrup Racing Team.
Oliver Söderström finished third and fourth in the two qualifying sessions, just three thousands of a second from second place in Q1.
”I have mixed feelings after qualifying. Third in Q1 is good, but I feel that there is more left in my driving. But it’s so tight at the top, so if you can’t put together the perfect lap, you will drop a couple of places. But I will start on the inside line for the first race and I will try to fight hard, I know that we have a good race setup,” said Oliver Söderström.
STCC newcomer Robin Knutsson had another strong qualifying result and finished fifth in Q1 and sixth in Q2, further underlining his impressive progress.
”I’m incredibly pleased! The goal was Q2 and I had some hopes of the top five that we succeeded with. It’s great to have the Betsafe colours on the car as well, I think our partnership will work really well and I’m pleased to show them that the speed is there for the top. I’ve got high expectations for the races tomorrow,” said Robin Knutsson.
Mikael Karlsson meanwhile left qualifying unhappy after going off track in the first session, meaning that he will have to start the first two races from 13th on the grid.
”I feel empty after my off, especially as the data showed that I had the speed to fight for the top. We have to think this over, the only positive thing is that we have fresh tyres for the races tomorrow,” said Mikael Karlsson.
Next up is the three races of tomorrow, the first one starting at 11:20 CEST and all are broadcast live on: plus.stcc.se
Results – Q1
Results – Q2
Championship standings
