Photo: WTCC Media

Hugo Valente targeting strong end to 2015 after lightning FP2 pace

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Campos Racing’s Hugo Valente was the closest challenger to Citroën’s José María López in the final practice session, running on almost-new tyres, and with all the Chevrolet RML cars performing well at the Losail circuit, the WTCC’s independent contingent has a good opportunity this weekend.

Valente finished the session ahead of Craft-Bamboo Racing’s Gregoire Demoustier, while Stefano D’Aste was fourth fastest after FP2 in the Münnich Motorsport Chevrolet, while Honda and Lada struggled during the sessions with various handling maladies.

“The engine map did a lot,” said Valente to TouringCarTimes. “We turned the engine map up one step each session, and I think that worked for us as it’s quite a fast track. I think the other guys had new tyres. I had fresh tyres, I had just done one lap on these in Thailand.”

With just the WTCC on track this weekend, although no one’s been off at the circuit so far, drivers have voiced concerns about grip level especially off-line, which may be a key factor come the races.

“I’m happy about the pace, it’s a fun track, but it’s going to be very hard to overtake here,” said Valente. “I also hope to qualify either first, third, fifth, seventh or ninth, because all the guys starting on the other side are going to get a lot of wheelspin!”

Hugo Valente is also just one point behind Chevrolet rival Tom Chilton in the standings as the two drivers battle it out for ninth place and the best Chevrolet in the championship, but the 23-year-old Frenchman says he’s not focussed on that after an up-and-down season.

“It’s not really relevant to me. There are so many races where I could have scored 20 points easily and walked away with almost nothing, so I think it’s important to show that I can be fast.

“I think we have a good chance to be in Q3 here and the best way to end the season would be to score another podium in race one, but I definitely want to put on a strong performance in both races, not for the championship but just for me and forget about the last few events.”