20th October 2007


Jon showed mastery of the Estoril track in Portugal today (Saturday), by dominating the first race from pole position, before setting the fastest lap on his way to a comfortable victory.

"Everyone bit the dust today," he said with a chuckle. "I won by over two seconds, but I had to lift off several times because of yellow flags. I made sure it was clear that I was easing off, as I had to avoid any possibility of a penalty. It was so easy to push though when had to. The car has been just great, and with the way everything has gone today, their is absolutely no reason why I should not be able to repeat this in race two tomorrow. I have no complaints at all," he said with a smile.

Having said that Jon had been amused by an incident at turn six on the warm-up lap. "It taught be a lesson," he reflected afterwards. The front tyres were cold and their was too much brake bias to the front of the car, so when I touched the brakes at turn six, and it was not a heavy braking manoeuvre, the fronts locked up and I went straight on!" Experience though can be a wonderful thing and Jon was happy to confine it to memory.

Race two is at 11.55am tomorrow (Sunday) and with Jon in yet another secure pole position on the grid, he remains hungry for yet more success as the Eurocup season draws to a close. "Pic is second in the Championship, but with this victory I have moved up into third place. He will start on grid 10 tomorrow, so if all goes to plan, I should take more points away from him." And with the final round at Barcelona in Spain next week, Jon's prediction of securing the runner-up position in the 2007 Eurocup Championship remains a realistic target. "I want that second place," he said with a glint in his eye.

Not selecting Jon Lancaster as a candidate for this year's Autosport Award is a rather serious oversight...