Franco Girolami planning “flat out” race from Vallelunga pole position

Reigning TCR Italy champion Franco Girolami gave the new Cupra León VZ TCR its first pole position in TCR Europe yesterday.

The Argentinian’s performance was clean, the Monlau Motorsport driver did not exceeding track limits despite always being at the sharp end of the standings throughout the session which was riddled with cancelled lap times due to track limit violations.

“I was absolutely at the limit,” confessed Girolami to TouringCarTimes.

“We did a wonderful lap, and I have to thank Monlau and Cupra because I just drove it, but the car was absolutely fantastic. I think today will be a difficult race, so it was very important to start on the right foot, which we did, and now we have to focus on the race, because that’s where the big points are.”

Girolami was full of praise for the new León VZ, which makes its international debut at Vallelunga.

“I liked the car from the very first test I did in February, the new Cupra was born in the right way. Of course we keep developing it, but the car is already very good.”

The Argentinian plans a fully flat out race, at least in the first few laps, hoping to open a gap in the early stages of the race and then managing the car and the tyres.

“I think we have to do a good first few laps, start well of course, and then if I have the chance to manage the car a little bit later in the race I will surely grab that opportunity.”