Jean-Karl Vernay’s car set to be written-off following Morocco Race 3 smash

WRT Audi driver Jean-Karl Vernay says he believes his new Audi RS 3 LMS will likely be written-off following its race-ending crash at the end of the third race in Marrakech, which caused the race to end behind the safety car.

The 2017 TCR International Series champion had worked his way up to fifth position in the race after some incidents ahead from seventh on the grid, but with three laps to go, the Frenchman explained his brakes completely failed, and he ended up pitching his car backwards into Turn 7 where it suffered extensive rear-end damage.

“I got a little bit scared when I had nothing under the pedal and my brakes exploded,” said Vernay to TouringCarTimes.

“I just put my hands on the handbrake just to slow down a bit. I’ve been so unlucky this weekend. I’ve decided yesterday’s penalty (after contact with Andy Priaulx) was quite rude after watching the replay, and in qualifying my extinguisher went off and after that we couldn’t do much – otherwise I think we could have been at least top five.

“We had a good Race 2, but it was quite boring. I decided after yesterday’s penalty to just chill out, and in Race 3 we were making good progress – other guys were crashing in front of me, and there was no pressure from behind so we looked like we could have come out of here P2 in the championship.

“We did a very good job this weekend, and I’m still happy – it’s just we need we were really unlucky this weekend with the extinguisher and the brake problem.”

On the condition of the car, Vernay says he expects WRT will have to replace his Audi RS 3 LMS after the incident.

“The car is dead,” he said. “I just hope the engine is fine,” he added, in reference to the championship’s engine change penalty.