After winning the first round in LMP2 with an outstanding comeback, BHK Motorsport driver says its team has the potential to achieve good results all season long
Alessandro Ottaviani, along with EES-rookies Francesco Santaguida and Emilio Longo, is leading the LMP2 standings. #16 took the chequered flag in Suzuka before anyone else in its class. We reached out to him and looked back to the season-opener but also discussed about the ambitions of BHK Motorsport in this championship.
Hello Alessandro and welcome to this interview. First of all, congratulations for the incredible win! Was it a surprise or did you and your teammates feel like you had a chance coming into this race?
«Hello, thank you very much! Before the race we felt quite good, we had a good pace during the practice but we didn’t expect a victory. Our main goal was to make my two teammates gain experience, being their first endurance race ever».
Some technical issues forced your team to skip qualifying. How do you approach mentally a race starting from the back?
«Well, after the connection lost I said “guys, the race is finished for us”. I was so sad for my teammates, but in the end I realized that the only thing that could be done was to make a furious comeback and take some risks to reach at least the podium. Anything can happen in 8 hours!»
Alessandro started from P12 and completed 138 laps in Suzuka
You are now in the lead of the LMP2 standings. How far can BHK Motorsport go in this championship?
«Honestly, BHK has great potential and can achieve good results in this championship. In the LMP2 class there are some very strong teams, but we’ll try to fight for the podium in every race!»
This is not your first experience in EES. You raced here in Season 2, but did not take part in all rounds. Are you planning to be a more regular presence on the grid this year?
«My main job for this championship is to support my teammates the best I can and make them grow in endurance racing, so I’ll surely take part in longer races, but I want to make them drive as much time as possible. Of course, I will try to be present as much as I can».
«My main job for this championship is to support my teammates the best I can and make them grow in endurance racing»
For round 2 EES will visit Watkins Glen. Did you already race there? What are your feelings about this track?
«I’ve never raced on this track, but being a huge fan of endurance racing, I‘ve watched a lot of IMSA races. I find it very interesting, thanks to its very fast corners and elevation changes, which makes racing here very challenging!»
Alessandro, we thank you for your time and wish you good luck for the rest of the season!
«Thank you very much and I hope to get good results and – most importantly – have fun!»
All images in this articles are property of Alessandro Ottaviani