James Nash admits that he is ‘surprised’ to still be leading the TCR International Series standings after Singapore, despite scoring his ninth podium of the season in the second race.
Nash had been far from the pace-setting SEAT driver during the Formula One-supporting event, having qualified behind team-mate and title rival Pepe Oriola on Saturday.
The Brit then followed his rival home in the first race, taking fifth under the floodlights around the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
But Nash was able to get onto the podium in race two, whilst Oriola was hit with a drive-through penalty, resulting in a point-less race for the Spaniard.
Although Nash is now under threat from the Leopard Racing Volkswagen of Stefano Comini at the top of the standings, the former British and World Touring Car racer heads into the penultimate meeting of the season with a two-point advantage at the top of the table.
“The race two podium is a bonus because we knew that with the extra weight I was carrying the weekend was going to be tough,” said Nash. “So I’m really pleased to have come through with a pair of good results.
“I just focussed on making sure I avoided mistakes and lock-ups, especially as we really were pushing the tyres to their limit.
“The safety-car periods [in race two] definitely helped as they broke up the otherwise fast pace of the race, which given I was running a lot heavier than all the others, I could hardly stand.
“I’m relieved almost to come through and yes, a bit surprised still to be leading the championship. But I’m under no illusions that anything will be settled before the final event in Macau and before then there’s still a lot of racing to go and many more points to be won.”
Craft-Bamboo Racing CEO Richard Coleman praised Nash for his consistency, which has seen the 30-year-old finish outside the top five just once in the past ten races.
“We knew this weekend was going to be difficult with the extra ballast and high temperatures, so to walk away with two podiums and have James Nash leading the drivers’ championship again is fantastic,” said Coleman.
“The entire team did a great job this weekend and we are now focused on the next two races in Sepang to get us in the best possible position for Macau in November.”