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Testing to be the best: teenager Lessennes gets Boutsen Ginion Racing WTCR role

Boutsen Ginion Racing has signed Benjamin Lessennes as its test driver for the upcoming WTCR - FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO.

The Honda-powered squad has recruited 18-year-old Lessennes, who will start work almost immediately when he takes part in a two-day test at Zandvoort, Netherlands from today.

Lessennes, TCR Benelux champion in 2017, will take over Tiago Monteiro's Honda Civic TCR once the Portuguese has completed his planned lapping for filming and photography purposes. He will spend the next two days at the Dutch track with local hero and Boutsen Ginion race driver Tom Coronel.

"I am very pleased and honoured to be appointed test driver," said Lessennes. "After my TCR Benelux title with Boutsen Ginion Racing in a Honda in 2017, it is a big step to make, but I am very excited. I tested the new car last November during its development phase and will use that experience to help Tiago and Tom as much as I can ahead of the new season."

Olivier Lainé, Boutsen Ginion Racing Team Principal, said: "We are extremely excited to unveil our new Honda Civic TCRs, which I think will be extremely strong cars due to the development work done by JAS Motorsport. We're also delighted to give a young championship-winning driver, Benjamin Lessennes, the opportunity to drive Tiago's car and to act as our WTCR test driver. He has huge potential and this role will help his development as well as benefitting the team."

Zdroj: fiawtcr.com