WTCC Race of Thailand will be significant for Tin Sritrai in more ways than one. Not only will the 26-year-old be making his debut in the FIA World Touring Car Championship, he’ll also be competing on home soil as the first Thai driver to race in the WTCC when he drives a Campos Racing Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1.
What does it mean to you to be making your WTCC debut in your home race?
“I have to say it is the most suitable place since my team, sponsors and, most importantly, my fans are here. Taking such a big step with this strong support next to me makes it more solid.”
How much pressure do you feel?
“Well, even I try to hide it by not expecting to set good times, there is still pressure on my back. Doing well in the new car, new team and new championship won’t be easy even though there will be an expectation from some people to get the best result in front of my home crowd. But I will try to leave those guys out of my head and focus on doing the best I can.”
What preparation will you do for the event?
“During the past few years in Touring Car Series in Asia by IMSP and Thailand Super Series I drove the rear-wheel-drive Super 2000. Switching to a front-wheel-drive TC1 WTCC car is such a big change. So what I and the team decided to do was to put me in a front-wheel-drive turbo car as much as possible. I got the chance to test our own turbo car recently and I will do a race in Buriram in a SEAT the week before the WTCC race.”
What’s your target for the weekend?
“Since it will be the first time in the world championship what I expect is to see where I am on the time sheets. Beside benchmarking myself with the world-class drivers, it is also the first time for me working with Campos Racing, so it is an opportunity to see how things work in the pit and what I can take back to improve my skill and the process in the team.”
You got the chance to watch the WTCC when you were racing at Motegi earlier this season. What did you think of the action and the competition?
“When I was there next to their pits, watching the screens and sneaking through the pit lane, from the spectator perspective, it was super exciting and entertaining. When you look deeper you will see a very precise operation and accurate decision making which results in very close competition even if you reverse 10 grid spaces in the second race. Most of the drivers have a chance to win and that is what it takes to make the real competition.”
How much do you know about your Chevrolet Cruze and your Campos Racing team?
“For the last couple of years I have been racing against Super 2000-specification Chevrolet Cruze in Touring Car Series in Asia by IMSP. Even if I only saw them in the rear mirror and not being inside the cockpit, I can see how fast they are. Winning the world championship for four years on a roll was the best evidence that it is one of the best touring cars. For Campos Racing, I have heard about their reputation both in touring and formula car for years, especially as a breeding nest where the young drivers are incubated.”
What’s the Chang International Circuit like to drive – how good will it be for WTCC racing?
“I have driven there a few times both in race weekends and in pre-season tests. What I found is it is a very high-speed track and you will get faster and faster later in the sessions. This is the track where the small changes in driving and set-up matters. I am sure it fits the competition where all the cars are close in performance but driver and strategy decide the winner.”
Where do you hope to be in five years from now?
“After a few years in touring car, stepping up from national then continental, surely the next move is the WTCC. Together with my team, we are always looking for the higher bar. So the aim for the next five years cannot be anything else but a full season in the WTCC.”
How would you describe yourself and your driving style?
“I always find myself in comfortable and supporting positions in the team which makes me think it comes from an easy-going personality. This also reflects on the track. What I always keep in mind is sufficiency, not too slow nor too aggressive, not too soft nor too fast. You cannot gain the better time for every section if you keep pressing the gas pedal. The perfect lap time is somewhere between pushing and releasing it.”
What’s the best thing about Thailand?
“Beside the rich culture and natural resources of our country, what you will find for the answer from all Thai people is our king. He is the real role model of every perspective not only the leader. He works as hard as a man could possibly do for only one purpose which is making Thai people live well and happy.”