Top ten finish still the aim for Teddy Clairet despite Raidillon Q1 crash

Teddy Clairet is confident he can fight for a top ten finish in the opening TCR Europe series race at Spa-Francorchamps, despite bringing out the red flags in qualifying after crashing at Raidillon.

The Team Clairet Sport driver lost the rear of his Peugeor 308TCR at the top of Raidillon just past the halfway stage of the opening segment of qualifying, having set the fourth quickest time.

The Frenchman’s time was still good enough for Q2 but was forced to sit out the second segment following confusion which allowed 18th fastest driver Dan Lloyd to take part instead.

“It was my mistake, the conditions were a little fresher than they were yesterday. I made a small mistake and lost the back end of the car, which at Raidillon, you can’t do,” Clairet told TouringCarTimes.

“I didn’t really go that much faster through the corner than I did before, it was just a simple mistake and I touched the spin. The pace was really good and the times showed that. I just tried to improve it a bit and lost the car.”

Clairet’s team reported minimal damage to the rear of the car and attempted to get it back out to participate in Q2 before being blocked by the stewards.

“When they got the car back to the pits, I didn’t think it was possible to get it back out for Q2, even though the time I did was good enough. By the time we got it ready, it was too late as there were already 12 cars out of track, and you’re only allowed 12.

“It’s how it is to be honest, it was my fault in the first place so there are no excuses.”

Nevertheless, Clairet is confident the speed is in the car to fight for a double points finish, with the top ten in Race 1 his main objective.

“There was a little bit of damage but the team are confident that we will be ready for the first race. We’re looking to finish the race and I believe we have the pace for the top 10. Jimmy showed that the pace is there so I hope to score a few points.”