Kessel Racing´s Henry Hassid claimed the COPPA SHELL Championship crown at the race meeting at Nürburgring on Saturday. Whilst the Frenchman excited the team with his early victory in the championship one round ahead of the season finale, he set the pace with two Pole Positions, one podium finish and one race win. All-in-all, it was an overall successful weekend for the Swiss team with another race win by Ernst Kirchmayr and one Pole Position by Jan Sandmann.
Saturday, 07th September 2024
In the first COPPA SHELL AM race taking place on Saturday, both Kessel Racing drivers Jan Sandmann (#186) and Stephen Earle (#100) made great progress throughout the 30-minute-race. Jan Sandmann, who started last on the grid following penalties, had a fantastic drive, narrowly missing out on the podium with 4th place, whilst Stephen Earle finished the race in P7 after coming from 12th.
Henry Hassid started the first COPPA SHELL race from Pole Position and had a great fight for positions with his team-mate Ernst Kirchmayr, who won the duel coming from second on the grid. Unfortunately, the race of Fons Scheltema was already over in Turn 2 after he was forced to retire due to multiple incidents at the start. Whilst Ernst Kirchmayr went on to win his first race for Kessel Racing, a third place for Henry Hassid was enough to secure the championship win early for the Frenchman.
Sunday, 08th September 2024
Jan Sandmann started the second COPPA SHELL AM race at the Nürburgring from Pole Position and lead throughout the race. However, the Kessel Racing pilot was given a drive-through-penalty for an incorrect starting alignment and overspeeding at the start, which saw him dropping down the order and eventually finishing in 12th position. Stephen Earle had another good race, coming home in P6.
The COPPA SHELL Champion Henry Hassid underlined his early championship win with Pole Position, fastest lap of the race and race victory on Sunday. Fons Scheltema finished the race in 11th place, with Ernst Kirchmayr making a fantastic recovery from 26th on the grid to cross the finishing line in 10th place.
Next up for Kessel Racing is the round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup taking place at Monza (Italy) from 20th until 22nd September 2024.
Team Quote
Ronnie Kessel, Team Principal
“Congratulations to Henry for a perfect weekend and winning the drivers title in the COPPA SHELL. He had an incredible season, and we are very happy to have him as part of Kessel Racing. The entire team and all drivers did a great job and we are all excited now for the season highlight, the Finali Mondiali in Imola in October.”