Photo: Tamara Aller

Ignacio Montenegro: “We will try to look for a podium in the race”

By

GOAT Racing driver Ignacio Montenegro qualified in fourth position for the first FIA TCR World Tour at Valencia as the fastest Honda driver on the track.

“Yesterday we had one hour of testing and we couldn’t find the car balance, we were very far,” the Argentinean told TouringCarTimes.

“But, working bit by bit with the car, we managed to find the right setup.

“Our first attempt in Q2 wasn’t good, so I risked everything on my last push and we managed to stay up there, which isn’t too bad.”

The Argentinian driver is expecting a tough but good race and says that his competitors could increase their pace.

“We are expectant, we know how the TCR world is, people play and hide a lot, so we will see what happens in the first race, that I’m sure will be very good,” said Montenegro.

“My target for this race is to continue gaining mileage in the world tour, achieving good results, I think the car allows us to run well.

“We will see what happens with the Lynk & Cos, there are three of them, and we will see whether they will fight between them or have team orders to secure the podium. I will try to do a good start and be expectant from there on.

“The track in Valencia is not so abrasive, it’s more demanding on the brakes than on the tyres. I think that, in the first race, they will all try to go back to get a better starting position in Race 2, so we will t ry to get advantage of that and, if the Lynk & Cos fight among them, try to look for a podium.”

Montenegro is in his debut FIA TCR World Tour season, partnering fellow countryman Esteban Guerrieri, a learning opportunity for the 21-year-old.

“Esteban now have 40 kilos from winning everything in Mexico, and now it’s my turn to defend the colours of the team,” said Montenegro.

“This is a new experience for me, we already competed last year with this car, but now the World Tour is very different, we work double and there are very strong drivers here.

“Esteban is one of them and I’m trying to make the most of having him by my side and count my growing steps.”