Photo: TCR Media

TCR teams and drivers rated after debut in Bahrain

After an exciting first event of the TCR International Series in Bahrain, we look deep into the results, trying to figure out what’s next in the second season of the new touring car concept.

A snap analysis of the TCR International Series event in Bahrain and you would end up with a belief that Pepe Oriola is going to dominate in his Craft-Bamboo Lukoil SEAT León. The truth is likely far from that however.

It must be conceded that SEAT Sport have done an incredible job in fine-tuning the already successful León. The DSG gearbox was perfect for a one-make series, but the car really needed a racing unit in order to be competitive against Honda’s Civic TCR. The Sadev-built gearbox (the same as the Honda) seems to have done the job, together with an updated brake and aero package.

Looking at the results, Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil effectively scored pole position, two wins, four podium places and one fastest lap in Bahrain. SEAT cars occupied the top three of each official session, both in qualifying and in the races, with Honda driver Gianni Morbidelli’s second in the first heat representing the only non-SEAT podium finish of the weekend.

Although one has to consider that both Morbidelli and team-mate Aku Pellinen would have been able to reach the podium, SEAT Sport-powered teams Craft-Bamboo Lukoil and B3 Racing Team Hungary made good use of a successful package. The season is just beginning though, and with several different types of track to be encountered this year as well as in-season updates set to play a role in the outcome of the championship.

Pepe Oriola even better than last year, Craft-Bamboo Lukoil on the pace

It is also clear that Pepe Oriola is a much more mature driver compared to last year, when he was already competitive and missed the crown just a few miles away from the chequered flag. Although his friend & nemesis Stefano Comini is now struggling, it must be conceded that Pepe has been aggressive when needed and cautious when forced to. His race-craft was always amazing, but it seems like he can ‘read’ the races better, which is a key factor in touring cars.

New team-mate James Nash was also impressive. Although the León has been updated since last year, Pepe Oriola still has a lot of experience at the wheel of the Spanish car, and it’s not easy to match such a talented driver. Nash has an impressive record in touring cars however, and now that the rust is off after a few years in sportscars, he needs to deliver in Portugal.

2016-2016 Bahrain Race 1---Dusan Borkovic (1)

Dusan Borkovic was also quite impressive. Of course he is an European champion and a podium finisher in the World Touring Car Championship, but the fact he was able to fight his way back up to sixth in the first race and manage a podium place (although inherited) in the second heat testifies he is going to be a challenger at least for race wins. The Serbian though will need to assess pressure-related issues, and make sure he gets off the grid decently next time around. He has the talent to do it.

Sergey Afanasyev is probably one of the drivers who should have achieved more than he did in Bahrain. After a stunning pole position lap, the Russian came fourth and fifth in the two races, but a poor getaway hampered his chances of taking a maiden win in the series. It looks like the Russian is beginning to capitalise on the experience made last year and is adapting to touring cars. His weakness probably lies in race-craft, which is of course influenced by a long single-seater career before switching to GTs. He will surely be a contender for race wins in the near future, as the pole position lap testifies.

Gianni Morbidelli hit by bad luck again

It is only in fifth position in the standings after Bahrain that we find the first non-SEAT driver. To be fair, having scored six points in Race 2 was a huge disappointment, especially because the puncture suffered by his Honda Civic TCR was triggered by a fight with WestCoast Racing team-mate Kevin Gleason. Morbidelli’s long experience in touring cars means he doesn’t need to learn lessons, but one thing last year surely taught him is how losing points in incidents like this is one of the most frustrating ways to lose a championship battle.

The points difference between leader Pepe Oriola and Gianni Morbidelli is now 25 points. The rest of the field is a further 12 points down the lead, with a lot of drivers left disappointed over missed opportunities.

2016-2016 Bahrain Race 2---07 Davit Kajaia_114

Davit Kajaia, the reigning ETCC S2000 champion, is probably the sole exception, as the Georgian driver faced the usual tough opposition and still managed to finish fourth in Race 2. The hard fights required of a touring car driver are not easy to withstand, and the police officer will need to quickly figure that out. His Liqui Moly Team Engstler Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR was still the second quickest in qualifying, showing the Georgian has good potential.

Aku Pellinen should be quite satisfied with his weekend, his only major mistake – a jump start in Race 2 – costing him very dearly. Although the Finn lost a podium place he deserved, he shouldn’t really be anxious about winning. Success will come, he has the talent to do it and showed it clearly in Bahrain.

Stefano Comini and Kevin Gleason in need to bounce back quickly

2016-2016 Bahrain Race 1---Mato Homola & Stefano Comini

The biggest disappointments were probably for Stefano Comini and Kevin Gleason. The former, who is the defending champion, will need to get to grips with the Leopard Racing Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR as soon as possible. The car is still relatively young, although a close relative to the all-conquering SEAT León, but both the team and the driver need to get on top of the issues very quickly. If the Swiss is to fight again for the crown he can’t afford to miss the top ten in Qualifying like he did in Bahrain, although a track limits infringement meant he lost his best lap – just like team-mate Jean-Karl Vernay. Only four points collected mean he is already 47 behind Oriola. The Swiss must fight for top positions as early as Portugal, or he will be forced out of the title battle. An unfortunate incident which eliminated his team-mate due to contact was a racing incident and should not count towards judging the performances of the team.

On to Gleason, the American’s weekend was equally frustrating. After an eighth place in qualifying, Gleason effectively failed to finish in both races. Points and good results will be crucial for the American and his morale. No longer being a rookie might be an extra pressure, and the WestCoast Racing driver can now actually count on a one-year experience. He surely needs to deliver.

2016-2016 Bahrain Race 1---32 Luigi Ferrara_64

The Subaru WRX STi TCR was on track with Luigi Ferrara behind the wheel. Knowing the driver from Apulia is no beginner – although more used to rear-wheel driven cars – Top Run really have to up their game now. The car was put on track, perhaps prematurely, to give it visibility and use the races as test days in late 2015, but with no consistency behind the wheel, with three different drivers in four races. On the other hand, the four points collected by Luigi Ferrara should help the morale of the team. The beautiful Subaru and the highly-qualified Top Run team deserve to be at the front more consistently. Hopefully all issues will be solved quickly.

Encouraging debuts for Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR and Opel Astra TCR

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR made its debut in Bahrain. Despite massive improvements between free practice and qualifying, the car seems to be still off the pace compared to the opposition, which is understandable for a new car. The direct comparison in qualifying with the Opel Astra TCR, which underwent manufacturer-backed design and development late last year, shows Romeo Ferraris are on the right track. It remains to be seen if the car can turn into a race winner in the short term, but the Italian car showed promise and the outlook seems exciting.

2016-2016 Bahrain Race 1---Jordi Oriola

The same goes for the brand new Opel Astra TCR. With two strong drivers in Jordi Oriola and Andrea Belicchi, the championship winning team Target Competition and a manufacturer-backed project to develop the Astra, perhaps a little more should have been achieved. It would be too easy to say they should be disappointed however, as one should not underestimate the challenge of making a new-born car a race-winning machine. Like the Alfa, competitiveness will come with time. With the high quality of the drivers and a championship-winning team, though, the pressure must be higher for the Opels.

Spectacular races in Bahrain thrilled the fans

Through it all, the winner in Bahrain was the show. The incredibly tense battles, as well as the good job done with regards to the Balance of Performance measures, meant close fights were the order of the day all through the field. Battles at the front were spectacular, but so was the midfield action. Hopefully things will remain the same all through the season, and there is no reason to think the opposite. Fights should actually be improved once the new teams and cars get up to speed.

Bring on Portugal!