Pepe Oriola fully focused on championship points

After a very good start, Craft-Bamboo Lukoil’s Pepe Oriola fought all through the race against WestCoast Racing’s Gianni Morbidelli, eventually finishing just outside the podium in fourth.

The Spaniard is not too disappointed, and even during the fight he had the bigger picture of the championship in mind: “It has been an exciting and difficult race,” said the SEAT driver. “Although I was on the limit, I have always been aware that the important thing is to score, as the championship is the most important thing.”

Oriola was particularly thrilled with the night race: “It has been sensational to race at night, where visibility is an important factor. In the last laps I tried to pass Gianni (Morbidelli), but it was really hard as overtaking is not easy here.”

The Spaniard now looks forward to tomorrow’s race, which will see him start ahead of his title rivals bar Craft-Bamboo Lukoil team-mate Jordi Gené: “Although I’ve been off the podium, I’m happy with my performance. The margins in the standings are really tight and I look forward to tomorrow’s race, where I will start ahead of my rivals for the championship.”

Oriola, who had come into Singapore leading the championship, is currently eight points shy of new leader Stefano Comini.