Photo: WTCC Media

Hugo Valente slams tyre failures at the Nürburgring

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Lada Sport’s Hugo Valente has vented his frustration with the World Touring Car Championship tyre supplier Yokohama after qualifying at the Nürburgring, with the 23-year-old experiencing his second puncture of the weekend and crashing out, relegating him to 13th on the grid.

Valente experienced a puncture in Free Practice 1 on Thursday which saw him hit the wall, which he says he’s still sore from, and then again in qualifying which saw him slam his Vesta WTCC into the barriers and out of the qualifying session.

The French driver laid the blame for the puncture with the tyres, and sounded off about the lack of attention the issue is receiving.

“In Formula 1 where one tyre explodes it’s a huge deal and you hear about it for weeks,” said Valente to TouringCarTimes. “(In WTCC) in Slovakia, four cars retired with punctures, in Morocco there were punctures as well for Nicky (Catsburg) and the Hondas, while here there was a puncture for me, Rob (Huff) and Nicky yesterday, and a puncture for me today, and nothing happens.

“There were also punctures last year and it becomes a matter of safety to be honest as it’s not fun, especially at a circuit like this one.”

Asked about the tyre punctures seen this weekend, WTCC promoter Francois Ribeiro remarked that the tyres are the same construction as last year and there were no issues besides Norbert Michelisz’s practice crash, which was then put down to debris, and was at a loss to explain the additional punctures beyond increased aggression from the drivers.

“I don’t know why my tyre pops twice in a row and not Nicky’s and Gabriele (Tarquini’s) as we’re on the same pressure and cambers, so it’s very strange,” added Valente.

The Lada driver then made a slight at current tyre suppliers Yokohama, who are in the last year of their contract with the WTCC, with the championship working on the tender for the 2017 season onwards.

“It’s a nightmare, I’m looking forward to changing tyre manufacturer at the end of the season,” said Valente.