Jordi Gené eager to fight in both races

Jordi Gené finished qualifying in eighth yesterday, after a troubled slipstreaming strategy penalized the ballast-laden SEAT León Racer driven by the Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver.

“It (qualifying) was difficult,” admitted the Spaniard to TouringCarTimes. “The ballast obviously didn’t help, because in Monza it is especially penalizing, every time you brake or accelerate you feel it. The main problem was the slipstreaming though, we tried to do it with my team-mates and it didn’t work. It was not ideal, so the ballast plus the tow made my day very difficult. I know pole position was not possible, but I could have been in the top five.”

Despite starting on the second row for Race 2, Gené will be very focused to gain as many positions as possible in the first heat as well: “I have to get points in both races. If I can start well, then in Monza the slipstreaming will help to try and overtake, so hopefully I will be able to fight and take some good points in the first race. As for the second heat, I have a better position, so as long as the start is okay then I can look try to get a podium.”

The Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver will not give up easily in the second race, despite Honda’s dominance so far this weekend: “Obviously Gianni (Morbidelli) is very fast in this circuit, and the Honda has a very good acceleration and a great top speed, so it’s not going to be easy to keep him behind. It’s not a circuit to go crazy at if a driver overtakes you, it is better to settle behind and cherish the opportunities. I will surely try my best, no doubt about that. If I can keep him behind I will do it.”

Gené is currently fourth in the championship, 30 points shy of championship leader Stefano Comini.