ETRC: Kiss clinches fifth title

The 2023 Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship title has been settled, with Norbert Kiss clinching his fifth series crown during round seven of the season held at Le Mans Bugatti Circuit

The Hungarian has been a dominant force this season and the Le Mans round turned out to be business as usual for him. The 38-year-old took both pole positions and remained unbeaten in qualifying this year. He also took two race wins, one third and one fourth place to accumulate a total of 55 points.

It was, however, his victory in Race 3 that allowed him to bag his fifth series title with five races remaining in the season. Antonio Albacete’s fourth place in the same race sealed the Teams’ title for the Révész &T Sport entry represented by the Hungarian and the Spaniard.

By securing his fifth title, Kiss became the second most decorated driver in the history of the series, one title short of Jochen Hahn, although the Hungarian ace was also the highest-ranked driver in 2021, the year when the titles were not awarded due to the fact that only two rounds were held as a consequence of the Covid-19 health crisis.

In the battle for second overall it was Hahn who prevailed, scoring three podium finishes to gather a total of 41 points and strengthen himself in second in the standings with 277 points to his name.

Antonio Albacete scored a couple of podium finishes and rounded out this weekend with 37 points, only four down on Hahn, but in the standings, the six-time title winner from Germany enjoys a comfortable 43-point advantage over the Spaniard.

Another driver in the fight for the overall podium is Sascha Lenz, who sits third in the ranking, 11 points above Albacete, but 41 down on Hahn. At Le Mans the German experienced his worst outing of the season in terms of points, gathering a total of 27, and with his best place being second in Race 3.

Jamie Anderson had his moment of glory at the renowned French circuit, taking his first victory of 2023. The British racer is part of a three-way battle for fifth in the final standings. Going into the season finale, taking place at Circuito del Jarama this weekend, only eight points cover fifth Steffi Halm, sixth André Kursim, and seventh Jamie Anderson.