Photo: TCR Europe

Peugeot drivers have “nothing to hide” ahead of qualifying

Team Clairet Sport driver Jimmy Clairet says Peugeot have “nothing to hide” as they approach qualifying for the penultimate round of the TCR Europe series at Spa-Francorchamps.

Clairet was the quickest of the Peugeot 308TCRs in each of the two practice sessions, finishing third in Thursday’s wet session and eighth in FP2.

The Peugeots typically perform well on the high-speed Spa circuit, and Clairet believes this form can carry on into qualifying.

We’ve got nothing to hide and nothing to keep to ourselves, so we’re going to give it our all,” Clairet said after second practice.

“We are going to work with the videos and information available to us to prepare ourselves as much as possible, because I don’t see the weather changing before qualifying.

“The track evolves on pretty much every turn, it is difficult to implement anything in particular when it changes so frequently. Our goal in the qualifying rounds is to do the best possible time.”

Brand colleague Julien Briché was equally optimistic after practice, and despite suffering a puncture in FP2 he feels the car is performing well ahead of the races and promised an aggressive approach.

“I took advantage of the FP1 to warm up and was a bit reserved,” said Briché.

“It wont be the case tomorrow.

“The car is responding quickly and feels great. Free Practice 2 was a little more complicated as I got a flat tyre, but it is later on in the qualifying rounds that is important. The conditions will make it tough but I will do my best to finish in the top 10.”

Clairet, Briché and Teddy Clairet all finished inside the top 10 in FP1, with all three enjoying a positive weekend at the circuit last year.

Jimmy had finished on the podium on the road in Race 2, before a penalty stripped of the position. Briché on the other hand, endured an up and down weekend, crashing heavily in practice before bouncing back to win Race 2.