SARNO - René Lammers put in another top performance this weekend in Italy in the highly competitive WSK. The 14-year-old karter from Zandvoort (The Netherlands) finished second in the OK class in the third round of the WSK Super Master Series at the Sarno kart track near Napoli. All weekend, the Dutch factory driver from Parolin Motorsport was in a very good position and his speed was rewarded with a second podium place.

In qualifying, René was the fastest of his group with a time of 53.769, which meant the second time overall out of a group of more than 40 drivers. Father and former F1 driver Jan Lammers saw that things were going well. "Whether it's Lonato, Franciacorta or Sarno/Napoli, at all tracks René is among the fastest drivers and often he is even the fastest. That's obviously heartening because it doesn't get much harder than this level." 

Performing in the strongest kart class offers prospects for the future. "Almost all drivers in Formula 1 have gone through this route and the fastest drivers anyway! There is no indication so far that René would not be able to handle the next steps in karting and motorsport. Of course, it still has to happen, but this thought is quite nice when we take stock of the intermediate position. So feet on the floor, or on the throttle rather, but 'so far so good'. We still have a long way to go and a lot to learn, but 'bring-it-on' is our take on the future," said Jan Lammers. 

At the third of four Super Master Series races in Sarno, René did not let his strong qualifying go unused. In the heats, he recorded results P3, P2, and P1. In both the pre-final and the final, the very talented René crossed the finish line in P2. Jan Lammers was exited over the battles in the pre-final and final. "They were spectacular races with hard battles that cost him the victory in the end. Shaking people off takes time and often the leader is too far away by then. It did deliver the fastest lap in the race again, though." 

The concluding fourth round of the WSK Super Master Series will be held on 29 and 30 April at the Cremona Circuit in San Martino del Lago. In the OK standings, René is in third place, which still offers chances for the overall victory. Before then, the promising Zandvoorter will drive two more races in Valencia. Next weekend as part of Champions of the Future and on 25 and 26 March the first of four FIA European Championship races is on the programme.