Alessandro Latif heads to Belgium next weekend (18-19 Oct) not allowing himself to underestimate the challenge the historic Zolder track will pose on his first attempt.

The teenager from London and his German co-driver Marc Basseng contest the latest rounds of the Blancpain Sprint Series in their Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS ultra.

The duo will start Saturday’s “Qualifying” race with a healthy 27-point lead in the Pro-Am category but Alessandro, who competed in the 10-hour Petit Le Mans race in America recently (4 Oct), is not taking anything for granted as he also targets a top-five result.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges the Zolder races are likely to bring us but we’ll be pushing hard every step of the way till the chequered flag drops,” confirmed Alessandro.

“Top-five overall finishes continue to be our ultimate target although of course winning the Pro-am category in both races is important in terms of our title aspirations.

“We’ve finished seventh overall in the Main race at the last two events but have returned home knowing there was more to come. So we will see what these races hold for us.”

Like the majority of circuits Latif has raced on this year, the 10-corner, 2.5-mile Zolder track that held its first race in 1963 and the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix on 10 separate occasions in the 1970s and 1980s, is totally new to him.

Latif continued: “Again this is a track that I will not have seen before I arrive – like many this year. However I know that it’s a very technical track and is very demanding on machinery.

“I think it will make for some really good racing as there are some very tricky but good overtaking points.

“Adverse weather has already been a factor in some races and made things very tricky at times this season. I’d imagine that in October there is a very good chance that we’ll get some rain at Zolder.”

Latif will take to the Zolder track for the first time in Friday’s opening practice session.