Teddy Clairet, 1st: “The start was really good. The launch was good, and it’s usually the key in TCR to make a good one because a lot of things can happen until the first turn. I could overtake Fernandes before the first turn, and I could go side by side with Ma on the outside. It’s a tricky manoeuvre, but I knew that with this kind of driver we can do it because he fights with respect. It was fair, and we gave each other the necessary space. After that I could focus on myself, do qualifying laps without mistakes. Maybe I pushed a bit too hard on the first laps, because I was suffering in the final five laps. He was quicker and joined me for the last two laps. In the end I could get it, but it was good for me that it was the end of the race… I’m so happy for the team, and all the work we have done.”
Ma Qing Hua, 2nd: “Teddy’s pace was really good. He did a good job to manage a good gap to me. I was trying to catch, but he was very fast. I don’t know what he did after race one! I think I did a better tyre management so in the end I had a bit more potential to push, so I put the pressure, but he did a really good defending, and anyway my tyres were also gone. I tried to survive and at the same time gain a position, not easy. It was a good race.”
Santiago Urrutia, 3rd: “It was a good weekend. I’m very happy for my team, as they gave me a very good car and we handled the heat well. After the FIA gave me the penalty I had to start last for race one, I ended up P6, and now P3, so I am very happy. I really enjoyed race two. It was difficult to fight with Mikel [Azcona] because he was quicker than me, but once we got to T5, the quick one, he was losing a bit of downforce so I could build it back up.”
Picture: WSC/Fastclick-AvensImages
