Niels Langeveld pleased with maiden WTCR podium

Niels Langeveld said he was pleased to secure his maiden World Touring Car Cup podium in the opening race of the weekend at Suzuka, despite the disappointment of running off the road whilst leading early on.

The Dutch driver had jumped into the lead of the race at the start ahead of Esteban Guerrieri and fellow Audi Sport Team Comtoyou driver Frédéric Vervisch, but then made a crucial error at the end of lap two and ran wide onto the gravel on the exit on the final corner.

That allowed Guerrieri to get back through into the lead and, despite the superior straight-line performance of the Audi, he was able to hold on to secure a win that gave him the championship lead.

It left Langeveld to settle for second place, although that still marked the best result to date for the series rookie – who had only scored two top ten finishes prior to the Japanese weekend.

“For sure there is some frustration, but I don’t have to forget where I have come from this season,” he said. “I’ve had many disappointments and I’m not so good in the standings, but I’ve had the potential. I’ve been a little bit unlucky and to be here on the podium is something I’m very thankful for and hopefully it is the first step to even higher achievements.

“It was a fantastic race, it was unfortunate about the small mistake. It was the first time I drove in dry conditions here, so it was not so bad from the start at all. I’m really happy with my second place and I hope more will come.”