Independent rivals target top ten

Yokohama trophy competitiors Tom Coronel and Felix Porteiro are targeting a top 10 grid position for Oschersleben after setting up their cars in the morning practice session. Coronel, who so far is only confirmed to compete in this and the next race at Imola, said:

“I think I can aim for an 8th-9th place outright. I would be very disappointed if I ended up outside the top ten. I think I have a very good car and a great chance here, I believe my Seat Leòn is able to get get into Q2.”

Proteam Motorsport racer Porteiro, in his first season as an independent after racing for the BMW Team Italy-Spain outfit for the last two years, said:

“After a bit of a hard time this morning, the second session of free practice was much better. We can look for a top ten spot, but the gaps between the different drivers are so small that even the slightest mistake can make cost you quite a few positions. Anyway, I’m geared up and I feel confident for today’s qualifying.”

Whilst Jaap van Lagen is enjoying his outing now as team lead for Russian Bears whilst James Thompson is absent, now racing the Lada Priora for the first time along with team mates Kirill Ladygin and team principal Viktor Shapavalov filling in for Thompson. Van Lagen said:

“I am very satisfied with the pace of the car. With old tyres I was able to clock a time that was 1.9s slower than the leaders’. I believe I’m going to have a good qualifying, probably in the top 15.

The car is fast but it’s still very “young”, so it has some small problems like a very small oil leak or a problem with the rear suspension. With this pace, I think we’ll manage to get some points by the end of the year.”