Spanish racer Javier Villa García was left feeling disappointed with his performance in qualifying around the Tianma Circuit for the World Touring Car Championship, as brake problems hindered his chances.
The Proteam Racing BMW driver will line up in 12th for both of tomorrow’s two races around the Chinese circuit, although he had been threatening to finish higher having posted times inside the top ten in practice.
As qualifying took place on a damp but rapidly drying circuit, it would prove to be vital to stay out until the very end of the first period of qualifying in order to set the fastest possible time. However Villa’s chances were ruined when his BMW developed brake cooling problems, leaving him unable to post a lap late in the session which would have allowed him to make it through to the second qualifying session.
A clearly disappointed Villa was left to rue what could have been after qualifying.
“It has been a real pity as with the damp track I was the fastest but with two minutes to go I lost the brakes and I had to watch as I dropped from from first to twelfth position without any chance to do anything,” said the 24 year-old after the session.
“The only positive thing is that the leader of the Yokohama Trophy only qualified a position ahead so I still have a good chance to beat him. The two races due tomorrow could produce a lot of surprises. The track is very narrow and twisty and there could be a lot of mistakes in the two races, anything could still happen.”