Davit Kajaia “here to represent my country” following strong qualifying showing

Georgia’s Davit Kajaia has set his sights on the podium, and on promoting his country, after surprisingly emerging as best of the rest behind the leading Hyundai tripartite in TCR Europe series qualifying at the Red Bull Ring.

Driving a Cupra for the PCR Sport with Georgia outfit, 35-year-old Kajaia lapped within four tenths of pole-setter Luca Filippi to secure his best qualifying result so far this season, falling just 0.034s short of beating Nelson Panciatici to third on the Race 1 grid and upset the Hyundai stranglehold.

“Finally I’m in a top five position, the first points in qualifying for me, and I want to thank my team,” Kajaia said to TouringCarTimes. “They did a really great job and the car was in perfect condition. The circuit is suitable for me, even though it’s my first time being here. I could adapt quickly and I am very happy.”

Kajaia said his Q2 lap was near perfect, adding that he hopes to take the podium fight to the Hyundai drivers in the race this afternoon.

“My lap in Q2 was really clean; it was the limit for me and for the car,” he said. “I will try to keep my position, but of course if I make a good start, I will try to fight for the podium. It’s strange because Hyundai are heavy here but anyway very fast. I haven’t followed them on track this weekend so I don’t really know how the car compares, but I’m here to fight and represent my country.”