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October 19, 2020

1st podium in the European championship on the Hungaroring

Theatre of the second round of the 2020 season of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC), the Hungaroring was tamed by Lion Truck Racing. Anthony Janiec was able to show some very nice things on the track with a podium finish.

 

The weekend starts on top form for Anthony Janiec who has set the fastest time on Friday, the first day, in 2:32.837 on a wet track. This very good pace in free practice shows a very good preparation of the truck by the Lion Truck Racing team.

The weather didn't improve on Saturday morning for the qualifying sessions, but despite this, Anthony Janiec is a serious candidate for pole position. 3rd in Q1, he qualified for the Super Pole during which he clocked a magnificent time of 2:38.197 at the wheel of his MAN N. 66 and finished 2nd for race 1.

 

The Hungaroring is still raining and race 1 is started with a yellow flag. The wild animals are released in the second lap and Anthony manages to keep his 2nd place until the chequered flag despite very tricky conditions. A 30-second penalty is inflicted on him and he finally finishes 7th.

 

2nd on the starting grid for race 2, Anthony's hopes for victory and podium finish were dashed by an engine problem in the formation lap.

 

The problems of the day before forgotten, the driver from Albi MAN N. 66 enters the last day with the desire to fight for the victory. In Q2, he signs the 3rd fastest time and qualifies for the Super Pole after which he finishes 6th.

 

On Sunday, early in the afternoon, Anthony lined up on the starting grid in 6th place. The green flag is waved and the Lion Truck Racing driver is very pressing behind the driver in front of him, but he also has to resist to his pursuer. Anthony loses one place and finds himself in 7th position, which he keeps until the chequered flag.

 

Back on the front row of the grid for race 4, all hopes are allowed for Anthony and Lion Truck Racing. He makes a very good start and is up to the poleman in the first corner. With two of them in front when braking the next corner, Anthony is in a better position and takes the lead of the race. The battle rages behind him and he takes a few lengths of advantage. Caught by his chasers, Anthony has to give up the leadership. He loses another position a few laps later, crosses the finish line in 3rd position and climbs on the podium for the first time in Hungary.

 

This podium and this Hungarian meeting shows the ability of Lion Truck Racing to evolve at the highest level on the European ETRC scene. See you in Misano, Italy, on November 14th and 15th for the final!

 

" It was a mixed weekend. We could have scored a lot more points in race 1. I made a mistake and I was penalized and big points went away. In race 2, I had a big mechanical problem, whereas the podium was also up for grabs. On Sunday morning, after some problems, we still finish seventh whereas we finished on the podium in race 4, but for me, from the point of view of the personal performance, I am not satisfied. The lack of riding in the current situation is being felt. The line-up of the European championship was very thin,

but I am nevertheless very happy and very proud to be among the 11 riders at the start in this very special period. My team has done a superb job in the wet cold of Hungary. We will be back in the French championship in Nogaro on November 7 and 8 where we will try to win as many races as possible. »

 ANTHONY JANIEC, LION TRUCK RACING DRIVER

 

 

"The team did a great job of preparation before and during the weekend. We knew that in the rain the truck and the driver are at their best, the 2nd time in the qualifying session and the 2nd place in the race, despite the penalty, were exceptional. A new podium with a 3rd position on Sunday in the dry is very encouraging for our performances. "

 JONATHAN ANDRÉ, TEAM MANAGER