Campos Racing’s Hugo Valente says that “everything is easier” without the problems he has had getting good starts in the World Touring Car Championship, after enjoying his second-best weekend of the season in Slovakia.
Valente narrowly missed out on getting through to Q3 in qualifying, putting himself in sixth position for the first race and fifth for race two.
Race one was a quiet affair for the 23-year-old, as Valente made up just one grid position when the LADA of Nicky Catsburg got off to a very slow start.
The second race saw the Chevrolet driver lose out to the three fast-starting Citroën’s of Sébastien Loeb, José María López and Yvan Muller, but Valente made up ground by passing Jaap van Lagen, Tom Chilton and Ma Qing Hua at the start thanks to their slow getaways.
Although not scoring an outright podium, Valente was pleased with his weekend results, which saw him win the Yokohama Trophy class in both races.
“RML and Campos have done a great job,” said Valente. “We’ve brought some updates and they really worked out, especially with the balance. I’m happy with the two results of the day. It’s very consistent and that’s what I’m aiming for because usually I can be fighting for the top position in race one or race two but the other race is a bit messier. It’s good points as well as for the whole championship and the Yokohama. I’m really relieved with this weekend.
“Once we’ve figured out our problems with the starts, everything is easier and I hope it stays that way. We have some catch-up to do at the starts because the Citroën boys were flying in race two – I don’t know where they came from.”
Valente had to carry 40 kg of compensation weight in Slovakia – just 20 kg lighter than the Citroëns – and is hoping for a reduction ahead of his home race at Circuit Paul Ricard in just one weeks’ time.
“I don’t know if the compensation weight will change for next week,” added Valente. “I was quite fast last year in Le Castellet. It’s my home race but it’s also the home race for these two guys [Muller and Loeb]. For sure they will have support – there will be support for me too and it will be a nice weekend.”
Valente reiterated his desire to prove his pace in race one instead of scooping results in race two – a strategy which has seen him impress in qualifying so far this season.
“In the south of France on the last weekend of June is a good place to be. I’m hoping to catch them and score a podium in race one if possible and hopefully get a good result as well in race two.”