Gianni Morbidelli blames understeer for lack of performance

Gianni Morbidelli came eighth in Qualifying for Race 1 in Sochi, Russia. The WestCoast Racing driver was not able to match the performances he had shown this morning.

The Italian blamed understeering issues for not being able to clock at least the same lap times as in Free Practice during qualifying, with the temperatures going up as the day progressed.

“I don’t like the track too much, I find it unselective, and the constant understeer we suffer from does not help to make me grow into liking it,” admitted the championship leader.

“Unfortunately, the hotter it gets the more understeer we have, just like we have seen on other tracks. We are trying to figure out why we were not able to match the lap times I clocked in Free Practice.”

The Italian is not optimistic ahead of tomorrow’s races: “I think it will be tough tomorrow. Even starting from third in Race 2 due to the reversed grid, I think the race will be difficult. I will have to hold on and try to defend the championship lead.”

Due to Target Competition’s Stefano Comini’s tough day, as the Swiss will start from seventh, Morbidelli keeps his 18-points margin over his closest rival.