Jordi Gené disappointed with Race 2 accident

Jordi Gené came third in the first race in Valencia, Spain. The local driver was third in the second race, but the accident between the Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver, Campos Racing’s Oscar Nogues and WestCoast’s Gianni Morbidelli deprived him of another good result in Race 2.

“The biggest mistake was in qualifying, because I had a much better pace than sixth, I was within one tenth of Pepe (Oriola). This was my own mistake, it had nothing to do with any car issues,” admitted the SEAT driver.

“The first race was good, I had a very good start, although I had to go on the grass to pass (Michel) Nykjaer. After that I tried to pass Sergey (Afanasyev), but it was not possible, I had the podium in my hands and I pushed, but not too much, because he is my team-mate.”

While the Spaniard is pleased with the outcome of the first race, his view about the second heat was very different: “In Race 2 everything went wrong. I had a good getaway again, I was on the right side and an Opel appeared from nowhere. I’ve been told Oscar Nogués had been touched by Gianni Morbidelli. At that point there was nothing I could do, I went straight into the wall, and it was actually a heavy impact.”

Gené is convinced he could have won the race: “I’m very disappointed because I was really close to the lead, I could see I had room to do the first corner as I wanted to, so I thought I could win. I’m very happy for Craft-Bamboo Lukoil and SEAT Sport, they did a fantastic job and I’m really happy.”

Next up for the TCR International Series is Race of Portugal in Algarve next week.