Honda’s Gabriele Tarquini says he is disappointed to lose out on a podium result in the second World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) race in Slovakia, after failing to resist the dominant Citroën charge.
Tarquini started the race from second on the grid, and promptly led the opening two laps of the race when pole man Jaap van Lagen failed to get off to a good start.
However all three leading Citroën drivers also got off to strong starts and were breathing down the Italian’s neck – before even one lap was complete.
Having dominated with a 1-2-3 result in race one whilst Honda floundered, the Citroën drivers wasted no time in passing. Tarquini was only able to hold Sébastien Loeb back for two laps, with Jos María López and Yvan Muller following past in quick succession a lap later, leaving Tarquini to finish fourth.
“I’m not happy with starting second and finishing fourth,” said a frustrated Tarquini, who was unable to add to his sole podium of 2015. “I was fighting for the podium but it was very difficult to stay in front. I fought with Loeb a little bit but I couldn’t save my position for long. Then I felt the front downforce was disturbed quite a lot when I was following Yvan so needed some clear air.
“The car was very balanced and I enjoyed the race because I was pushing as hard as possible and I could feel the car responding.”
Despite the results, Honda boss Alessandro Mariani remained positive about the races, which also saw Tiago Monteiro claim two points’ finishes from 17th on the grid.
“In the main I am happy,” summarised Mariani. “Gabriele had good race pace, particularly in race two. I am pretty happy with what we achieved from our positions the team has worked hard all weekend.”
Honda’s Daisuke Horiuchi, who is the Large Project Leader for WTCC Development, blamed the 60 kg of compensation weight – the same carried by the dominant Citroën’s – for the team’s difficult weekend.
“It’s been a very hard weekend,” added Horiuchi. “I hoped Gabriele could hold the lead in race two but the weight really does affect our car.
“We know we have to improve the power although this weekend we adjusted the boost control and the drivers commented there is improved engine response.”
As a result of his points finishes Tarquini moves up to fifth in the drivers’ championship, 12 points behind team-mate Monteiro.