Difficult conditions were on all the drivers’ minds after the World Touring Car Championship made its yearly trek to the Hungaroring, especially for LADA Sport ROSENEFT’s Nick Catsburg.
The Dutchman, who has been racing for Viktor Shapovolov’s outfit since Russia last year, secured his second successive podium in the Opening Race on Sunday morning (April 24th).
However, he was not happy with the way the conditions were worsening over the day’s proceedings.
“Another podium for us is great for the team, though I had mixed feelings about the race one result,” said the 28-year-old, who was fighting for second place, until Sébastien Loeb Racing’s Tom Chilton drove a great race to finish second behind team mate Mehdi Bennani.
“I have to be happy with the podium and being there at the end to salvage a result, but I made mistakes on a track that was like driving on eggs,” he explained, especially with the oil left on track by Honda’s Norbert Michelisz adding another potential dimension to the already compromised track conditions.
Catsburg also stated that the colder conditions caused the windows on his Vesta, which compromised his efforts in the Main Race, won by Citroën Racing’s José Máría López.
“It was so slippery and every mistake cost you a lot of time. Colder temperatures and more standing water made race two difficult, as I was looking in my mirrors the entire time and it was impossible to defend,” he said, which also resulted in a penalty for missing the chicane, which saw him finish 13th.
“I would have had a couple of points without that. Anyway, it’s a positive weekend for the team and I look forward to Marrakesh!”
The Race of Marrakesh takes place in two weeks’ time, with Catsburg looking to improve his points tally, as he currently sits in seventh place on 50 points, behind Michelisz, who is just three points ahead.