Mikhail Grachev focussing on reversed grid victory to improve his win tally

WestCoast Racing’s Mikhail Grachev is in prime position to extend his winning tally from three to four from pole position for Race 2 on Sunday in Thailand, with the only driver on three wins this season also starting from pole position for Race 1, Craft-Bamboo Racing’s Pepe Oriola.

The Russian qualified in tenth spot and will benefit from the reversed top ten grid for Race 2 as long as his car makes it through the race in one piece and without having to break parc ferme.

“On one side, I’m not so happy, as I’d like to be further in front, but from the other side I’ll be on pole position for the reversed grid, so for this I’m happy,” said Grachev to TouringCarTimes.

“We have a lot of time to find a problem we have with our set-up, as I wasn’t able to take the full performance from fresh tyres in Qualifying 2,” he explained.

“Because it was much hotter in the afternoon, I think our set-up didn’t work so well, but I’m lucky as I have a strong team-mate, and they have a good set-up for hot conditions, and it’s good as everything is open here, nobody hides anything.”

“I will spend Race 1 as preparation. I’ll try to improve my position as much as possible, but keeping in mind I need to save my car for Race 2, and in Race 2 I’ll try to do my best to win one more time.”