Jean-Karl Vernay believes pole still a possibility despite FP2 absence

Jean-Karl Vernay still reckons he can challenge for pole position in tomorrow’s TCR Europe qualifying session at Assen, despite missing second practice due to a broken damper.

The reigning TCR International Series champion was one of many to sustain car damage after clipping a sausage kerb at the Dutch circuit in the opening practice session.

Vernay was the quickest TCR runner in a joint private test this morning – shared with the supporting Supercar Challenge cars – and 11th in FP1 using old tyres. After missing second practice, the Frenchman has more fresh tyres than his nearest rivals and believes he is able to fight for the front-row in qualifying.

“We saved tyres in the private test this morning and then again for FP1, so there are some positives from that. Tomorrow we just need to do a good job and take the pole,” Vernay told TouringCarTimes.

“[In] Hungary, we started last after a problem in qualifying. If we have the pace to start up front, it means we can stay in front. We have to work on tyre degradation but it doesn’t look too bad compared to the other guys.”

Vernay struck the large sausage kerb on a slow-down lap near the end of the first session, but this contact was enough to break a damper and bend the chassis on his Team WRT Audi RS 3 LMS.

“For sure it’s never a good thing to have a bent chassis, but I am quite confident in my team that they solve the problem,” Vernay added.

“It’s a little bit frustrating, it’s difficult to understand why they put the kerbs like this. They are concrete and really dangerous.

“I touched it once, on my way back to the pits at the end of the session. It was a lack of concentration but when you see the hit, it was quite heavy. Now it’s just a question of re-building the car correctly and getting ready for tomorrow.

Hyundai and Honda proved the dominant force in practice, locking out the majority of the top ten positions. Despite this, Vernay feels his Audi RS 3 LMS is equally suited to the fast Assen track and is right in the mix come qualifying.

“The first sector is quite narrow and tricky so that’s not where I’ll be fastest. But then after that, the track is fast, the straights are not that straight, so it will be important to start near the front if we are going to score big points,” Vernay said.

“I don’t need anyone [to give me a tow], I just need to focus on my driving. The balance is good, we can still improve a bit and that’s all. Hyundai can do their own thing, but for sure the time was good and I can challenge for pole.

“The car balance is very good, we were able to put two new tyres on, as did most people, and the lap-time was really good. It’s my first time here and I can only be confident for tomorrow. I like the track, it suits the car, it’s pretty fast so I think we’re in the game.”