Mid-Season Overall Driver Standings
As the 2024 Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship takes a summer break, we reflect on an action-packed season so far, and the performance of the top 7 overall full-season drivers in the championship standings:
1. Norbert Kiss – 233 Points
Norbert Kiss has been the standout performer of the season, dominating the championship with an impressive eight pole positions and a consistent string of race wins. Kiss’ exceptional pace and strategic prowess have allowed him to maintain a commanding lead. His ability to convert pole positions into victories has been crucial. The challenge for Kiss moving forward will be to sustain this peak performance as the season progresses and manage any evolving competition from other top drivers.
2. Jochen Hahn – 178 Points
Jochen Hahn has been the main challenger to Kiss’ supremacy this season. His strong race starts and overtaking abilities have enabled him to secure multiple podium finishes and a race win, contributing to his high position in the standings. Although Hahn has consistently performed well in qualifying, often placing just behind Kiss, converting these positions into race wins will be key to closing the gap and gaining an advantage from the start.
3. Sascha Lenz – 131 Points
Sascha Lenz has shown impressive consistency throughout the season, with multiple podium finishes that reflect his solid race craft. His ability to recover positions and capitalise on mistakes from others has been a major factor to his third-place standing. Lenz faces the challenge of closing the gap to the top two drivers. He needs to secure race wins to boost his chance to challenge for the championship.
4. Antonio Albacete – 126 Points
Antonio Albacete has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season. His standout performance came with a Race 4 victory at the Nürburgring. His strong race pace and overtaking skills have been evident, but inconsistent results have prevented him from mounting a more serious challenge for the top positions. Albacete’s challenge lies in achieving greater consistency in his performances and improving his qualifying results to better position himself for race victories.
5. Steffi Halm – 94 Points
Steffi Halm has delivered some impressive performances including a significant win in Race 2 at the Nürburgring, showcasing her strong race craft and strategic abilities. Her performance in reverse grid races has particularly highlighted her skill in maximising opportunities.
While Halm remains in contention for the top positions, improving her qualifying results for Races 1 and 3 will be crucial to bettering her chances of securing consistent top finishes.
6. André Kursim – 89 Points
André Kursim has demonstrated steady progress with several competitive finishes. His performances have been marked by a mix of strong results and occasional setbacks. Kursim’s key strength is his competitive race pace, which allows him to score points consistently. With a focus on achieving more standout results and refining his race management, Kursim is well-positioned to climb higher in the championship standings.
7. José Eduardo Rodrigues – 87 Points
José Eduardo Rodrigues has excelled in the Chrome class, consistently securing class wins and showing strong performances, which is a testament to his skill and consistency. He's also shown competitive results in the overall rankings and thanks to his consistent overall finishes, Rodrigues is now within striking distance of a top 5 overall position. If he continues this momentum and further improves his race pace, a top 5 finish in the overall standings is well within his reach.