Craft-Bamboo Racing’s Grégoire Demoustier says he is “more confident than ever” ahead of this weekend’s World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) races at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan.
Demoustier has yet to finish higher than tenth in 2015, having scored points finishes on just two occasions in Argentina and Hungary.
However the Frenchman has continued on his WTCC learning curve over the nine-week summer break, completing test sessions at the Navarra circuit in Spain and Circuit Magny-Cours in France.
Like most other drivers on the grid, Demoustier has never raced on the circuit to the north of Tokyo, and it is this combined with his summer testing which gives him renewed confidence ahead of the resumption of the season.
“I am looking forward to this round as we have completed various tests during the summer break and I am feeling more confident than ever with the car,” said the 24-year-old. “I hope that I can continue improving my skills and take another position in the independents trophy.
“It will be another new track for me but I am well prepared for the challenge and I can’t wait to get back to racing.”
Craft-Bamboo Racing CEO Richard Coleman also believes that the weather will play a factor at the weekend. The north-east of Japan has experienced heavy rainfall in the past week, with widespread flooding and landslides hitting the region.
“It will be interesting to go to a new track in the WTCC calendar and the Twin Ring Motegi should make for some great racing,” said Coleman. “We have had some time to recharge over the summer period and both the team and Grégoire have been working hard throughout to prepare for the final push this season.
“A circuit the championship has not been to before will suit Greg but the weather forecast looks very challenging.”