WestCoast Racing’s Gianni Morbidelli says it has been a “perfect weekend so far” after he took his first TCR International Series victory in Shanghai on Saturday, ahead of team-mates René Münnich and Kevin Gleason.
Having dominated the earlier qualifying session, Morbidelli led the Swedish team’s trio of Honda Civics away from the line in race one. Whilst the Italian enjoyed a relatively trouble-free run to the flag, both Münnich and Gleason were involved in battles for position during the eventful race.
Münnich traded early blows with the SEAT of Pepe Oriola, who tried to pass the German on the opening lap. Contact resulted, forcing Oriola to retire with damage and a puncture and allow the former World Touring Car Championship driver a trouble-free run to the finish.
American racer Gleason had to work harder for his first podium of the season, however, enduring a race long battle with the SEAT of Stefano Comini, eventually prevailing at the end of the race.
“It has been the perfect race weekend so far,” said new championship leader Morbidelli. “WestCoast Racing has been fantastic and supplied me with a brilliant car, and we hope we can continue this way tomorrow, as the circuit seems to suit us better than our rivals.
“Everything was perfect and the car performed extremely well. It is clear that here in Shanghai the Honda cars were above the competition, as it was the case for SEAT in Sepang.
“We felt at ease since the beginning of free practice and could materialize the good work. We’ll try to carry on the momentum, knowing very well that it will be difficult to always have a day like today.”
Münnich also took his first podium – a feat that the German failed to achieve during three seasons in the WTCC. “I really enjoyed it out there and it’s nice to be on the podium,” he said. “I was running with Gianni for most of the race and was even catching him towards the end, as I think my tyres were in better shape. Following him helped me learn a lot from him, but now he needs to learn how to drink beer from me!”
After his epic battle with Comini, Gleason admitted that he really enjoyed the fight with early championship leader Comini, who was carrying an extra 30 kg of ballast.
“I believe Stefano Comini and I put on a great show today,” said the American. “The team gave me a great car and I needed it during my race-long battle with Comini, where I was made to work hard due to my poor start. I really enjoyed the fight and expect a lot more of the same from eighth on tomorrow’s reversed grid.”