Photo: TCR Europe

Andersson thrilled by Pau pole as he was “learning every minute” in qualifying

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It took just two rounds for MA:GP and Viktor Andersson to claim their first TCR Europe pole, and the teenaged Andersson was thrilled to achieve the feat in Pau.

The Lynk & Co-driving Swede had been fastest in second practice, which was held on a drying track on Friday, and had hoped for similar conditions for qualifying on Saturday. He got just that, and maximised his morning to claim pole on the famed French street circuit.

“It was a dry circuit. I was very unsure all this weekend, but it was dry, and we tried, and it worked out pretty good!” he said to TouringCarTimes.

“I mean pole position is always awesome, but I think pole position on a street circuit is the next level. It’s a really nice feeling.”

Andersson could tell he was lapping at a competitive pace based on his feeling in the car, but “also I was learning every minute” as the 19-year-old is not only new to Pau but also a touring car racing rookie.

“Yesterday was crazy weather all the day through. So I learned every minute [in qualifying], and in the end we maximised and took pole. I learned every minute, and it felt good. But I also saw Tom [Coronel], who had a bit of a different strategy, has the reversed-grid pole tomorrow. So we’ll see. But we went for it and we’re happy.”

Pole earned Andersson ten points, and means he starts from tenth for Sunday’s reversed-grid race. For Race 1 on Saturday, the plan is a “good start” as he leads away the field for the first time.

“I know it’s difficult to overtake around here, but at the same time it’s so easy to make mistakes. So I think a good start, hopefully have the lead after one lap, and just don’t make any mistakes. And hopefully we’ll build a gap. But you never know. I mean we don’t know the degradation, we haven’t done any long runs here, so we don’t know.

“I think it will be fine [as it’s an evening race]. But at the same time we’ll see if it rains or not. But I’m happy.”

Race 1 is scheduled to start today at 18:10 local time (CEST).