Photo: WTCR Media

Néstor Girolami braces for tough Vallelunga Race 2

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Néstor Girolami resisted pressure from Hyundai’s Mikel Azcona to win the first FIA WTCR race of the Vallelunga weekend in his Honda.

The Argentinian is aware that with the extreme temperatures still climbing, it will be a tough second race, starting from tenth on the grid.

“Starting from tenth on the grid it will not be easy to make progress”, said Girolami to TouringCarTimes.

“The car was very good in the first race and this track does have some opportunities for overtaking. This is a fantastic track, I like it and the drivers can really make a difference here, especially at the Trincea corner.”

Despite loving the fast corners of Vallelunga, the general tyre issues are still worrying the Race 1 winner.

“Of course you go through Curvone and Trincea, two very fast and challenging corners,” said Girolami.

“When you know there are so many issues with tyres, you try to be gentle and try to save them. At the same time, you can’t think ‘what if I have a puncture and crash’, you just try not to think about that.

“It’s really hard to race in this heat, but obviously it’s the same for everyone. The temperature are still rising, so we just need to so as much as we can and make progress from tenth.”