Written up

Yorkshire's Samuel Harrison secured 2nd place in the McLaren Trophy, Europe championship at the weekend with two superb podium finishes at Paul Ricard in France alongside team mate Leo Karavasili. Samuel and Leo missed the first round of the championship at Brands Hatch as they awaited delivery of the car from McLaren. If the championship was based on rounds contested their stellar performances over the rest of the season would have seen them leading the standings.

Samuel and Leo have raced the #90 car in the McLaren Trophy, Europe this season for internationally renowned ALM Motorsport. A strong qualifying effort from Leo secured pole position for race 1 on Saturday, the team's first in the championship. Come lights out, Leo made a good start and rode a number of early challenges to hold the lead up to the pit stops. Samuel then took over for the second half of the race, quickly putting in a series of blistering laps to build a comfortable lead. Samuel took the chequered flag, crossing the line 7.5 seconds ahead of championship rival Michael O'Brien for what should have been his first win in the championship. Unfortunately, such are the fine margins in motorsport, the team were found to have released the car from the pit stop a fraction early. This incurred a 20 second penalty demoting them to second overall, and handing the championship to O'Brien.

After the race Samuel commented: "I'm obviously disappointed not to get our first win today, but we did everything right on track and these things happen. Most importantly, the car felt great and we've proved we have the pace. We'll look to go one better in race 2".

Sunday's feature race saw Samuel line up 3rd on the grid with just 0.1 seconds separating the top 3 drivers and Samuel's main rival Michael O'Brien taking pole. With a point to prove after the penalty in race 1, Samuel got a sensational start and muscled his way down the inside of O'Brien at turn 3 and into the lead, a position he would hold comfortably up to the pit stop window. The previous day's success penalty meant a longer pit stop for the top two cars, so when Leo re-joined on lap 12 he did so in 2nd place. The pace of the car remained strong and he took the lead 2 laps later. The race to the chequered flag became a five way battle with the #68 SMC Motorsport entry of Burgoyne and Meakin that would eventually prevail as Leo's tyres faded in the closing stages of the race.

Two second places at Paul Ricard meant that Samuel and Leo moved up from 4th place to 2nd place in the final championship standings and finished the season as the most consistent driver pairing on the grid.

After the podium Samuel commented: "It's been a superb season racing with McLaren and such an achievement to earn 2nd in the championship despite missing the first two races. It really shows our pace against some top class opposition. It wasn't to be this weekend, but thanks to the team for providing such a great race car all season".

Paolo Callea, Team Manager at ALM Motorsport added: "In their debut season in McLaren Trophy, the progress we have seen from both Samuel and Leo has been incredible, consistently being at the front of the field and showing themselves as talents to watch. Achieving 2nd in the drivers championship despite missing the first round is very impressive."