FIA World Endurance Championship new boy Lewis Williamson enjoyed his first taste of the world’s best sportscar racing competition yesterday. Driving for the Strakka Racing team, the Scottish racer has played himself in to the team in an accomplished manner after the first Free Practice session.
“It was all about ticking a lot of boxes off yesterday (Friday) and getting used to all the procedures in the pitlane and on track,” said Williamson. “The traffic aspect was interesting as I had to learn how quickly how other cars catch you and how quickly you also catch the GTs. I was able to get into a rhythm quickly and make improvements so I am happy but there is still a lot to learn and feel but this is a great opportunity and I am really thankful to Strakka Racing for giving it to me.”
The 26 year-old silver-rated driver has eye firmly on keeping the seat alongside teammates Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis in the Gibson 015S-Nissan at Strakka Racing for the remainder of the 2016 WEC season.
“This is what I want to do fulltime and I have chased an opportunity and it has arrived,” said Williamson. “I’ve been given a chance and it is down to me to make the most of it and prove my worth. I am just going to do my best and if I get an opportunity to do more this year then it will be fantastic but I am really just taking this race in and soak everything up.”
Williamson has also enjoyed all aspects of the FIA WEC even if some of it is a shock to him!
“I am really enjoying it and it is a fantastic championship from the paddock ambience to the all-round organisation, it is a true World Championship,” says Williamson. “It was a bit surreal at the drivers briefing sat near Mark Webber and guys like that you have watched on TV for years and years, so it is just a great chance to race on the same track as those sort of guys.”
Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
