Mathias Bjerre Jakobsen secures maximum points, while Sebastian Bach shines in Nordic 4’s Rookie Championship
There was no doubt that the STEP talents had come to Karlskoga ready to race. This was evident after Saturday’s qualifying session, where Mathias Bjerre Jakobsen secured pole position with over half a second to spare from his nearest competitor. He continued this strong performance throughout the weekend with three victories—something that brings about big smiles. -It feels amazing! We’ve had two frustrating weekends where I couldn’t capitalize on my potential, so I’m both happy and relieved that it worked out this time, says Mathias Bjerre Jakobsen, who, apart from starting from eighth place in the weekend’s second heat, didn’t face much resistance on the track.
Resistance was present for Sebastian Bach, who, in his third racing weekend in a formula car, is really starting to find his speed. However, as he becomes quicker, his competitors are also getting better and more experienced, something he’s had to acknowledge: -It’s been a super fun weekend on an enjoyable racetrack, and although it has yielded good points for the rookie championship, I can see that I still lack some experience when it comes to fighting for positions. I missed a few opportunities along the way and lost some spots, but I’m here to learn, so now I know what I need to work on for next time, shares Sebastian Bach, who finished among the top five in all races.
Had Lærke Rønn Sørensen not had a poor start in the first heat, things could have looked very different. The West Jutland driver was the seventh fastest in qualifying but had to fight her way back through the field after the start. Her comeback was impressive, as Lærke set fast lap times, but it’s challenging to battle out of the midfield. Nevertheless, she managed to advance through the last two heats and finished the final heat in fifth place.
For team manager Morten Dons, the weekend has been one of those experiences he can cherish for a long time: -I’m happy and proud, primarily because Mathias got the result he has deserved since the season began. He is incredibly fast this year, and now he had a car that matched both in speed and reliability. It’s great to see how he’s maturing and just pushing forward. -Both Sebastian and Lærke are doing a fantastic job in the car and between races. They are working hard and continuously improving. Now they are both fast enough to be in the fun part of the field, so their next challenge will be to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way. This is a natural part of their development, and I believe we’ll see the next step for them when we head into the next round of the championship,” says Morten Dons, who also sends a friendly thought to the rest of the team: -It’s a pleasure to run a team when you’re working with people who are so dedicated. Everyone is working purposefully and professionally, yet there’s a friendly atmosphere and high spirits. I’m very grateful for that, he says. The next challenge for the three STEP talents will be at Ring Djursland on June 22-23, where the fourth round of the championship will take place on the short and hilly racetrack.