Mikel Azcona: “I couldn’t have been more careful with the tyres”

BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse’s Mikel Azcona said “it hurt” to lose the victory in Saturday’s Race 1 at Valencia after leading for over 20 laps and falling victim to a tyre failure.

“I did a great start and overtook all three Geelys at Turn 2,” Azcona told TouringCarTimes. “I saw them coming side-by-side at Turn 1 and I prepared myself so, when they went wide, I could overtake them.

“From then on I felt very comfortable, it’s always easier when you are racing in clean air. You are more comfortable, you have less degradation, you can look better after the car, and my target was looking after the tyres.

“It was a long race, it’s very hot and, on top of that, we were carrying 40 kilos of weight.

“Unfortunately, five laps from the end, I started feeling a vibration in the front right tyre and I prayed everything for it to hold on. I had to come into the pits and, after leading for 20 laps, it was very painful.

“But we are here to fight, tomorrow we have two more races, so let’s see how many points we can score.”

Azcona ruled out any misdemeanor in the tyre management from his side.

“It hasn’t been a wear issue, as the tyre looks well and I have looked after the tyres, I was very careful carrying 40 kilos and having worked a lot in the setup.

“I even had extra to go faster but, in clean air, I chose to look after the tyres, and I also didn’t hit the kerbs. To put it simply: I couldn’t have looked after the tyres more than what I did in this race,” the Hyundai driver added.

“I believe the tyre had some issue, to me it’s quite clear.”