After today’s first test session at the Shanghai International Circuit, WTCC drivers feel that tyre consumption will be a factor in Sunday’s races.
Alex MacDowall commenting on his fastest lap in the session said: “After the red flag we put a new set of tyres on and we made a few set up changes. It is a very difficult track to get used to. It has a low grip and when you put new tyres on you are quick for just one lap and then they go off dramatically. We have to work hard on the race set up.”
Chevrolet title contender Rob Huff was second fastest: “I did use new tyres at the very beginning, but my fastest lap was on old tyres, though I benefitted from a slipstream on the back straight. I was happy because the car feels good and the balance is also good. Now we will concentrate on the race set up because had a few problems with the front left tyre during the season and we don’t want this happening again here.”
Pepe Oriola was classified third in the best of the SEAT cars: “This track is quite hard. We worked to find a good set up and then put new tyres on to post a fastest lap. I could have done better but I did not find any car to give me a good slipstream on the straight. I have a good feeling for tomorrow’s qualifying and also for the races, because there are many points where it is possible to overtake.”
The Honda of Tiago Monteiro set the fourth fastest lap: “It was a good test, but we have to keep on working and not to get too excited. We know that a lot of people did not get proper runs on new tyres, why I did. So we should expect improvements from the best drivers. We do not think too much about that. We have to do our job and collect information until the end of the season.”