Successful Race 2 for WTCR customers
Our Elantra N TCR customers celebrated a double podium at WTCR Race of Portugal, with Jean-Karl and Norbert claiming a second and third place finish for their teams. Gabriele finished just behind them in fourth position.
All three drivers made clean getaways at the start of Race 2, despite having to navigate a stalled car on the grid. They quickly put pressure on the frontrunners, and after the race leader pitted for damage Jean-Karl was able to challenge for victory. The Frenchman had briefly lost the lead of the drivers’ standings after Race 1, but his podium finish powered him back to the top spot.
“Now we are back in the lead of the drivers’ championship and the goal is to continue this momentum,” said Jean-Karl after the race. “The season is still very long but the points we have taken this weekend are very important.”
“It was very nice to be back on the podium in Race 2 for the first time since Race of Malaysia 2019,” added Norbert. “There are still areas for improvement but if we continue on this path, we should be in a good place for the rest of this season.”
Highs and lows
It was a weekend of ups and downs at the Circuito do Estoril, with all drivers falling victim to incidents outside of their control that determined their race results.
Norbert was hit from behind in Race 1 and the resulting crash prematurely ended the race of Jean-Karl. Luca also received contact from another car, which later brought an early end to his Race 2 after the damage caused a puncture to one of his tyres.
“My weekend in Portugal didn’t go as I expected,” said Luca. “In Race 1 I felt I had the pace to be on the podium if I hadn’t been caught in the incidents on the first lap, and unfortunately after a great start in Race 2 we had to retire the car with a puncture.”
Gabriele had started the race on pole but lost a place at the start of the race. He continued to fight for the lead, until debris from the earlier incidents resulted in a slow puncture that unravelled his hard work.
“I tried to survive and I had the pace to attack the car in front of me. After five or six laps I started to feel the pressure in my front right was dropping,” explained Gabriele. “My start in Race 2 was much better. I gained some positions in an exciting first lap, managing to get behind Norbi to finish in fourth.”
The third round of the WTCR season, Race of Spain, takes place at MotorLand Aragón on July 9-11.