Hugo Valente demonstrated his overtaking credentials with several passes at FIA WTCC Race of Portugal last weekend.
One of the factory LADA team’s two new recruits for 2016, the former privateer racer made up two places in the Opening Race and four in the Main Race. Although a visit to the pits ruled out a strong result in the first encounter, he placed ninth in the final event in Vila Real to score two WTCC points.
“I got a great start in both races and made up places, two in Opening Race and an even better four in the Main Race as Nicky [Catsburg] and Mehdi [Bennani] ahead caused some fuss that let me slide through into ninth from 13th position. After that I pushed as best I could but it is very hard to pass without a mistake from the car in front.”
Valente heads into the summer break P11 in the WTCC Drivers’ standings.