Frustrating Weekend at Brands Hatch for Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport faced a rollercoaster weekend in the second round of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.
Hoping to extend their podium streak from Donington Park, the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport squad hit the shortest circuit on the calendar with high expectations. Saturday morning’s free-practice outings saw Jake Hill finish in 6th and 10th place, setting the stage for the later qualifying sessions.
In the afternoon’s qualifying sessions, and handicapped by reduced hybrid deployment due to his 3rd place championship position, Jake had to settle for 12th on the grid. However, he rocketed off the line in Sunday's opening race, storming through the field from 12th to 5th, later promoted to 4th post-race.
In Race 2, Jake kept the momentum, surging into podium contention early on. Battling fiercely for P2, his run was cut short by multiple hits from rivals, damaging his steering and forcing him to retire.
Starting from the back in race three, Jake clawed his way up to 12th, capping a turbulent day at Brands Hatch. He leaves the Kent circuit sitting 4th in the Drivers' Championship with 59 points, as the team looks ahead to Snetterton for the next round on May 25-26.
"It's been a tough weekend at Brands Hatch but sometimes they happen so we need to learn and improve for the remainder of the season,” commented Jake Hill. “We struggled for pace all weekend, so we need to work hard to find the answer to it. Despite the results, a huge thank you to everyone Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport for giving everything. Chin up, and now we move on to Snetterton which has been a happy hunting ground for us in the past!"
Sporting Director of Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, Mark Blundell was positive: "Despite the setbacks of this weekend, all of the team remains motivated and hungry to get back to fighting at the front of the field. It was a challenging trip to Brands Hatch, and now our focus is on improvement and coming back even stronger. Everyone within the team is highly motivated to bounce back at Snetterton and I'm confident in the abilities of all the team to get us back at the front of the field."
