Photo: TCR Media

Stefano Comini advises title rival James Nash to “relax and do his race”

Reigning champion Stefano Comini has responded to criticism from a number of other drivers, who’ve stated that his Leopard Racing team’s Volkswagens only jumped ahead in pace during the wet part of qualifying due to their favourable Balance of Performance measures which allow them to run lighter than the SEATs and Hondas.

Similar concerns were raised by championship leader James Nash, who will now start five places behind Comini on the grid for Race 1.

“Of course our special wet tyres from Michelin did their job!”, joked the Swiss. “Maybe if (Nash) asks politely to Michelin they will pass those tyres on to him as well, just ask them nicely. I’m sure he (Nash) can relax and do his race without thinking about me, it will all be fine.”

The Leopard Racing driver is adamant the risks he took handed him second on the grid, not the BoP.

“We are not quick in the dry, then it rains and we are strong. We’ve all seen the track conditions, it was incredibly tricky and it was a matter of balls, not Balance of Performance. It’s not easy, because I felt good with the car but I took a lot of risks. I think he didn’t, and that’s the difference between us. I had aquaplaning as well, the car was understeering so much I even had to use the handbrake to go through Melco. So it’s not about weight or ride height. It’s very easy to gain or lose a second in just a single corner here, and with such a long track the gaps are obviously bigger.”