The MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square team has enjoyed a strong start to the Thruxton race weekend and head into race day with Jake Hill lining up P5 on the grid, with Sam Osborne in P23. Taking on the fastest circuit in the UK, the team’s Honda Civic Type R’s quickly got to grips with the Hampshire track and showcased their pace throughout the day.
With the FK2 Honda Civic enjoying a successful record at Thruxton in recent years, the team returned to action after a three-week break in an optimistic mood and buoyed by their recent back-to-back podium success. This optimism looked well-founded when Jake Hill rocketed to the top of the timesheets in the early stages of FP1 lapping quicker than the circuit’s race lap record set just last year.
As times improved, Jake closed out the session in P2 while Sam ended up in P21 as he got to grips with a circuit which he has limited experience of. Both Sam and Jake shifted their focus towards longer race run simulations in FP2, preserving tyres in the process and rounded out the morning P22 and P15 respectively.
As the all-important qualifying session rolled around hopes were high of a strong performance. Unfortunately, there was frustration in the opening phases as Jake was held up by a slower-moving competitor on his push lap. On the other side of the garage, Sam made a jump forward as he moved into P18 at the halfway point. Despite making progress with his final lap of the session, Sam was squeezed out by his fellow competitors and had to settle for a P23 starting position for Sunday’s opening race.
Jake set to work on troubling the front-runners in his second stint and did just that, eclipsing the previous qualifying lap record, as he claimed a P5 starting position as he heads into Sunday. This continued Jake’s excellent qualifying streak, qualifying in the top-ten in every event so far with a lowest qualifying position of P7.
Elsewhere, Esmee Hawkey claimed another Pro-Am class pole position in Porsche Carrera Cup GB qualifying and will be looking to extend her category lead across race day tomorrow.
Shaun Hollamby, Team Principal, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“It probably shows how strong our pace has been that we feel a tad disappointed by today’s results. Jake has continued an incredible record in qualifying so far this year. I know he feels like he could have had more but he can make a real impact from there tomorrow. Sam is determined to make more of his time around here and it is up to us to help him to do that. We are in the mix and we know our race pace is strong so we are fully revved up for tomorrow.”
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“The team have put in a fantastic shift today. The margins are so small around Thruxton that hooking everything up together is really key. In some ways, it feels quite good to have had a strong day but leave the track tonight feeling that there is more to come. We’ve got to focus on what is in front of us and give it everything we have got tomorrow.”
Jake Hill, #24 MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square Honda Civic Type R:
“It’s been another good day in the office and I’m really pleased to have continued this run of top-seven qualifying results. I think we all feel like there was a little bit more to be had but the guys at the top made another step from FP2 and that is what we have to find. The balance of the car is something else around here and I really can’t wait to see what is in store tomorrow.”
Sam Osborne, #4 MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square Honda Civic Type R:
“It has felt like a bit of a battle today. Thruxton is a properly unforgiving circuit and I’m desperate to get the better of it tomorrow. A little lift around here or a missed braking point can make half a second’s worth of difference so we’ve had our heads deep in the data this afternoon and know where we can make strides forward over race day.”
Esmee Hawkey, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square Official Development Driver:
“We’re lining up in the best possible position in our category tomorrow but I wanted a little bit more progress in terms of lining up against the pros. I’ve made a step forward from testing yesterday and every time I’m out there, I feel like I am chipping away and getting myself closer. I’m going to be all in for those class victories tomorrow and try and put myself right in the mix overall too.”
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