Esmee Hawkey made a big impression on the Porsche Carrera Cup GB paddock this weekend with a stellar performance to claim a race one podium and pole position for race two.
The Kent native quickly got to grips with the challenging Monza circuit during free practice, before making it count in Saturday’s qualifying session. She put in a good, clean run to secure 12th on the grid for the half hour contest that afternoon.
Esmee showed a maturity to belie her years at the start of the first race, positioning the car expertly to avoid a number of incidents which unfolded ahead of her into the first corner. Emerging unscathed, after the Safety Car period, she held her own, quickly passing Shamus Jennings and closing in on Pro-Am rival Seb Perez, before having to settle for second place in class and sixth overall.
Esmee started from pole position for race two, which coud have brought extra pressure, but she got a superb start to lead the pack as contact once again marred the start. She lost a couple of places through the Curva Grande but showed good pace to stick with title contenders Dino Zamparelli and Tio Ellinas.
When the chance to take the class lead from Perez presented itself she seized it. Going into the Parabolica she sent the car up the inside, but unfortunately momentum carried the car into a spin, causing her to lose ground and ultimately cross the line fourth in Pro-Am and tenth overall. Despite this it was a brilliant display of intent from the 19-year old with plenty to take away from one of the world’s most challenging race tracks.
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