Sergey Afanasyev delighted with ninth after engine change in Thailand

Craft-Bamboo Racing’s Sergey Afanasyev wasn’t downbeat after qualifying in ninth position, after the Russian missed out on a lot of track time in Buriram following an engine change after testing.

The team worked to resolve a problem leftover from the previous weekend at his home race in Russia, before they were also tasked with the extensive repairs to James Nash’s car after the British driver crashed out at Turn 3 with a bizarre slipped tyre issue.

“I struggled in Sochi with top speed, and we were searching for the problem and luckily in the half day test on Friday and we found the problem and changed the engine,” said Afanasyev to TouringCarTimes.

“In Free Practice 1 we were just checking the new engine and in the second practice I did a couple of laps on old tyres, as luckily I know this circuit quite well from last year,” he added.

“We managed to get through Q1 which was tough because I was P12, but I was sure I could do better as I was only six-tenths off the leaders on my first lap on new tyres. In the second part, I was quite sure my lap would get me in the top ten.

“I’m happy as we’ve solved the problem with the engine and we’re moving forward with Craft-Bamboo Lukoil, they’ve had a tough night and I’m really thankful to them for the job they’ve done for me and for James Nash. It’s a pleasure to be racing with them.”