Jean-Karl Vernay blasts into points lead after a strong weekend in China
Team WRT’s Jean-Karl Vernay goes to the final round of the 2017 TCR International Series next month with a 21-point lead in the drivers’ championship, after scoring the maximum in Race 1, in a weekend where his title rivals struggled.
The Frenchman was able to stay in second at the start, passing team-mate Rob Huff but falling behind the SEAT of Pepe Oriola. Both drivers were passed by the rocketship Hyundai of Gabriele Tarquini in the first race, however with the Korean manufacturer not eligible for points, this didn’t affect his points position.
A pass for second on the road on lap 11 gave Vernay the best-possible points haul from Race 1, though a more problematic Race 2 with incidents in the mid-field saw him finish 12th after having to pit following a puncture. With M1RA Honda’s Attila Tassi getting a drive-through penalty, and with reigning champion Stefano Comini failing to score, also with a puncture, Vernay now has the strongest championship lead of the season heading into the final round.
The team head to Dubai on November 17th-18th ready to battle for its second title after winning the championship with Comini last year, but with Rob Huff departing due to a date clash with the WTCC, the team are set to announce a star replacement to back up Vernay’s challenge.
“It was a great weekend, the car was absolutely fantastic,” said Vernay.
“I didn’t win Race 1, but I still got the 25 points which was the target for me this weekend. We knew we were going to be strong here, because this is a slow track and there’s no big straight, but we weren’t expecting this. The Golf was really good today.”
On Huff’s replacement, Vernay remarked: “You’re going to be surprised, and it’s somebody with a few titles.”
