2017 TCR International Series champion Jean-Karl Vernay put on a charge in the first Kumho FIA TCR World Tour race at Misano, recovering from a mixed qualifying session to finish in the top ten, battling the Geely Cyan Racing Preface of Ma Qing Hua all the way until the finish.
With his return to TCR after four years away from front-wheel drive competition, the Frenchman was delighted after applying pressure to the Chinese driver to secure ninth place.
“My weekend has been good. Before qualifying I had just done 12 laps in the CUPRA, and I was only one-tenth away from my teammate Comte,” said Vernay.
“I was a bit disappointed when I saw that one guy was disqualified, as I could have been in Q2. In the race I had a super-start, then I was pushed a bit in T1 and lost a few positions, but I was able to come back, and the pace was good enough. Everything for me is new, the CUPRA is new and I need to learn the tyres. It would have been great to overtake Ma, but for my comeback I’m super-happy. I just need a bit more preparation. The team also only got the car last week, so everything has been a bit last-minute. It has been a great performance from the team.”
Picture: WSC/Fastclick
