Max Coates: “There’s a lot more to come from me”

Max Coates says there’s much more to come from him and the car in his first weekend in the BTCC, after getting his maiden practice session under his belt at his local circuit Croft this morning.

Coates is the third driver to pilot the second Support Our Paras Racing Infiniti Q50 this season after Richard Hawken and Martin Donnelly, and on his first run he completed 17 laps en route to the 27th fastest time.

The 21-year-old from North Yorkshire is targeting three solid finishes tomorrow, but is keeping a lid on his expectations at this stage.

“I’m from five miles down the road so it couldn’t be a nicer place to make my debut. To be honest I was pretty nervous this morning but I’m happy I’ve got that session under my belt,” he said.

“I feel pretty comfortable in the car and there’s more time to come from me as I get more into the car.

“There is so much more to think about in touring cars than anything else I have done, but every lap was better and I know there’s a lot more time to come.

“It’s not just a new car but it’s a year since I’ve driven, so I’m bound to be a bit inconsistent. I need a bit of time to get back into the swing of things.”

The versatile Coates has driven many of the cars on the TOCA support package, and is unfazed by his step up to the headline act.

“I’m quite used to just turning up and jumping in a car,” said Coates to TouringCarTimes. “That for me is part and parcel of what I do.

“I know the track and I’ve just got to learn the car. I just want to get three finishes under my belt. I would love to have a top 15 and if I had a top 10 I’d be jumping around. But it’s a long way away, it’s too early to set too many expectations.”