Le Mans preview: who can catch Norbert Kiss

23 September 2021

The 2021 FIA European Truck Racing Championship descends upon Le Mans this weekend as the title battle continues.

Norbert Kiss has been a model of consistency this season, having won six races so far and leading the way in the Championship.

His closest rival in the title fight is Czech racer Adam Lacko, who scored his first win in the last round at Zolder. Lacko has been on the podium eight times this season already and will be looking to add more wins to his tally.

18 points down in third is Sascha Lenz, who’s had a bit of mixed weekend in Belgium. The German needs a strong weekend at Le Mans to keep his title chances alive.

T Sport Racing’s Antonio Albacete has really stepped up to the mark over the last few races, finishing on the podium twice at Zolder, and the Spaniard will be keen to score his first win of the year.

Le Mans holds special memories for German driver Jochen Hahn, who secured his record-breaking sixth FIA ETRC title there in 2019. Hahn returned to the top step at Zolder and will seek more of the same on the Bugatti circuit.

Steffi Halm was back on the podium at Zolder after a strong performances in her Team Schwabentruck IVECO S-Way. She also finished on the podium at Le Mans two years ago and will be looking to repeat her success.

André Kursim had a consistent run at Zolder, taking the fifth most points from the weekend, and will be keen to get back on the podium at the Bugatti circuit, where he last won a race in 2019.

René Reinert showed some fiercely strong racing in the second race at Zolder. His run for the podium was ended by Spanish racer Antonio Albacete, as both fell back after the pair got into trouble on the wet track. 


GOODYEAR CUP: CLOSING THE GAP TO CALVET

In the absence of Téo Calvet, who will compete in the French Championship this weekend, his closest Goodyear Cup title rival Shane Brereton will be looking to make up ground to the French driver, and close the 23-point gap to the lead.

A few technical issues in the first rounds cost Jamie Anderson valuable points, but the last few races have shown an upward trend with the British driver back on the podium. Anderson currently sits in third in the classification, 62 points behind Calvet and 39 behind Brereton.

Steffen Faas had a mixed weekend at Zolder, but turned around his fortune when he finished on the podium in the last race.  

After a weekend plagued with technical issues, which saw Clemens Hecker finish in the classification only once, the German driver will be looking for a clean run at Le Mans.

British driver Luke Garrett took his first Goodyear Cup podium in the ETRC at the last round in Zolder and will be keen for more this weekend on the French circuit.

Luis Recuenco will return to the grid at Le Mans as a race-by-race entry. The Spanish driver will be looking for redemption after he suffered with technical issues at the last race.


Click HERE for the entry list and official timetable

Click HERE for latest points standings