Münnich Motorsport’s Gianni Morbidelli says that he does not expect this weekend’s WTCC races at the Beijing Goldenport circuit to suit his RML Chevrolet due to the circuit’s slow and twisty layout.
Unlike some other drivers who have been active in recent months testing their World Touring Car Championship cars, Morbidelli has not been behind the wheel of a racing car. The Italian admits that this is not ideal, especially approaching a race weekend where he has never before driven on the circuit.
“After such a long wait, I’m heading to China with a huge desire to get back behind the wheel,” admitted Morbidelli. “Since late June we had only one meeting in our schedule and this doesn’t exactly keep your hands full, especially in a series like WTCC that can pride itself with having so many professional drivers on the grid.
“To fill this gap some colleagues jumped at the chance to drive and test in proper WTCC cars, some resorted to other racing series’ to stay in shape. Personally I had none of either, therefore my will to drive has gathered a lot of steam since. I can’t say that I am keen that this will happen at a venue like Goldenport Park, as Beijing seems one of those pretty twisty layouts I have never been fond of, nor have I ever posted my best career races [at thosecircuits]. Let’s just say that it does not seem to be on top of a list of ideal places to run our Chevrolet.”
Morbidelli, along with the other Chevrolet teams Campos Racing and ROAL Motorsport, will use an upgraded Chevrolet car for the first time in the forthcoming races in China. However the 46-year-old adds that the upgrade package is unlikely to be fitted to the cars this weekend due to the limited time allowed by the logistics operation before practice.
“RML has churned out a development kit that includes new suspension geometry and an aero tweak,” added Morbidelli. “But since our containers most likely will arrive in the paddock hours before we fire up the engines, probably we’ll have barely time to unload the cars and stuff, let alone work on cars.”
Morbidelli, the only non-Citroën race winner of the season, admits that he is already looking to the 2015 season with one eye and is hopeful of remaining at Münnich Motorsport for a second consecutive season.
“I guess the upgrade kit will be useful in Shanghai and hopefully it may help me finish the season on a high, with some good results. Finishing well is important because you carry this shot of confindence along over the winter, in the silly season, when you try to lay the groundwork for the following year.
“It’s still a bit early to talk about 2015, but I must admit that I get along so well with René Münnich and his team that if we could continue to work together I couldn’t be more happy.”