Gianni Morbidelli expects tough race in the heat at Buriram

WestCoast Racing’s Gianni Morbidelli starts second on the grid for Race 1 tomorrow at the Buriram International Circuit, but the Italian fears the hot conditions, which have seen temperatures in the car rise past 70 degrees Celsius, could be a problem on race day.

The Honda driver, who’s now just 37 points behind new championship leader Pepe Oriola, but still sixth in the drivers’ standings, has been in the top two in every session throughout the weekend, but just missed out by 0.001 seconds in qualifying to his Spanish rival in the SEAT.

Morbidelli strung out three laps in the 1:43s during the second part of qualifying, but his third lap of 1:43.635 just fell shy of Oriola’s time, set whilst in his tow on the preceding lap.

“I tried to do my best. We worked very well during the two days here, we had a good test yesterday…and I want to thank the team for the big effort,” said Morbidelli.

“I did a good lap, but it’s hard after three laps on new tyres. (The gap) is a question of millimetres, we’re talking about nothing.

Morbidelli expects a hard day during Sunday’s two races starting from second and provisionally ninth in Race 2, with the temperature forecasted to be in the mid-30s.

“Tomorrow the race will be very tough here, the temperate is very high and it makes the car very difficult to drive, so it will not be an easy race.”