Hugo Valente disappointed with technical failures which scuppered final qualifying for Lada

Hugo Valente will start 12th on the grid for both of today’s races at the Losail circuit after suspension failure cost him the opportunity to set a time in the second part of qualifying, with the Lada driver frustrated with the technical failures he’s experienced this year with the Russian manufacturer.

Valente was the fastest of the Lada drivers in both of Thursday’s practice sessions, finishing second and third, and was on course for a strong qualifying result in his last weekend in Qatar, before he was pitched into a spin as the front-left upright snapped on his Vesta on his first flying lap in Qualifying 2.

“Yeah, it’s the suspension I think,” said Valente to TouringCarTimes. “I don’t even want to know to be honest. It’s a shame, as in Q1 I was P6 I think and I only put on one set of new tyres. Yesterday we were really good on old tyres, so I’m really annoyed as I haven’t had this kind of pace all season. I know this is my last race here and I maybe won’t be racing next season, so I wanted to finish on a high.

“I know that starting seventh and eighth and with the reversed grid it could have been really good race as our pace is really good. It’s really annoying as most of the technical issues this season have been on my car, so it’s really disappointing. I’m sure I can pass a few guys, but I can’t expect much from 12th.”