Viktor Andersson: “You need to be so on the limit here”

Cupra driver Viktor Andersson was upbeat and positive about his chances after qualifying in sixth place for the first FIA TCR World Tour race in Vila Real, having joined SP Competition for this weekend.

“I’m used to the Cupra, but this is a French Cupra from a French team, so it’s a bit different,” Andersson told TouringCarTimes.

The Swede enjoys the Vila Real street circuit and raced a Lynk & Co here last year.

“Just being here at this amazing track I’m so happy just to be here and, from the first practice, I was happy with the car, the team is competitive and I was happy with the feeling, it’s really similar to what I’m used to,” said Andersson.

“I love the track and, I don’t know why, but the speed was good last year and is also good this year, so I would love to be back another day to be even quicker because like I said I enjoy it a lot.”

Andersson rued the lack of pace, but was satisfied with the final result.

“Qualifying inside the top six and the best ETS is amazing,” said Andersson.

“We still lack the speed to be fighting for pole for some reason, 59.1 is far away, but this was good, the car, the team, and we have two good opportunities tomorrow.

“You need to be so on the limit, it’s a mix of slow corners and really high speed and really high curves, the track has everything, so amazing just to be here and amazing to be competitive.”

Andersson eyes a possible podium finish in both races.

“We start in the middle, P5, P6, not so far away from the podium in any races, but it will be warm again,” said Andersson.

“I don’t know, staying in the pack overtaking will be tough. But yeah, try to finish around where we start and see if we can gain a spot, be closer to the podium.”

The joker laps are back for this year and will be a new strategic move for Andersson in the FIA TCR World Tour.

“We have practiced several times in free practice and now me and Aurélien (Comte) start together, so I’m sure we will figure out the perfect strategy with that because it will be, we didn’t have it last year now,” said Andersson.

“So this is a really fun element which is first to me and I will do it tomorrow for real in the race.”