Mattias Andersson expected more from his Honda at Knutstorp

STCC’s most experienced driver on the grid Mattias Andersson said he expected more from his Honda Civic Type R FK2 TCR in qualifying at Knutstorp, and is unable to decipher if it’s himself or the Balance of Performance that’s the cause with no other Hondas on the grid.

The 44-year-old took two second places at the season finale in the same car last year, but with the FK2 Civic being hit with the same BoP adjustments as the new model, suspects he’s the victim of the newer model’s success this weekend.

“Of course I’m not happy with qualifying, we were hoping for more,” said Andersson to TouringCarTimes.

“We finished last season quite good with pole position and a couple of second places, and the test days were also good…but they came with new rules, weights, ride heights, and for me it’s not perfect. It’s difficult to know if it’s fair or not. We’re the only team with a Honda, and in Europe I’m the only car competing at a high-level with the older car.

The FK2 Civic benefitted from the 10mm reduction in ride height imposed this morning by TCR, but the Hondas are the only TCR cars which are required to run at 97.5% engine power.

“They have reduced the power on both versions of the Honda, and when you’re not quick enough you start to think something’s wrong,” explained Andersson.

“It’s a little bit too big of a gap, if it was a few tenths it would be OK, but to be 1.4 behind it’s impossible to catch, and in TCR we’re usually quite even, so it’s difficult to know now what’s the level.

“Normally I’m quite good at Knutstorp, but we’re really struggling and it’s a big difference. It’ll be interesting in the races tomorrow, of course everyone won’t finish, but I’d rather be quick and not finish, then be lucky to be seventh and not quick.”