Gabriele Tarquini has criticised the repeated punctures which drivers in the World Touring Car Championship suffered at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a tyre failure ultimately deciding the Opening Race result.
Experienced LADA driver Tarquini was one of the most vocal critics of the tyre failures on the Nordschleife, with numerous drivers being spat off the circuit due to punctures throughout the race weekend.
Although none of the LADA drivers suffered from any punctures in the two races, Tarquini admitted that he couldn’t push due to fear of a tyre failure. The Italian thus finished as the second-best LADA driver in both races, claiming seventh in the Opening Race and ninth in the Main Race.
“I can’t be satisfied with the results, as I wasn’t able to push in the races,” said Tarquini. “Tyres have been a big problem this weekend and it’s not the place to have this issue. As we’re in a forest, you reach very high speeds and there’s very little room for error.
“Cars are faster and heavier than last year and the problem must be analysed. You can’t race at a track like this, fearing that the tyres might let go and I was more of a taxi driver on the Nordschleife today.”
Hugo Valente managed to finish both races in the points, in sixth and tenth respectively, but the Frenchman was also the victim of tyre failures in practice and qualifying.
“The car wasn’t performing as well as in free practice and qualifying, because there were concerns over the tyres and we had to make changes that we’ve never done before,” said Valente. “My progress was good and I don’t think we could have asked for more than a sixth place in the Opening Race.
“We struggled in a straight line and we were advised to be cautious on the Nordschleife to save the tyres. We’ve had a lot of punctures, not just at the Nurburgring, but at normal circuits too, and it’s a shame that no action has been taken with the tyres before this weekend.”