Comtoyou Racing’s new signing Frédéric Vervisch says he is ‘gaining confidence’ on his first outing in the TCR International Series at Spa-Francorchamps, after posting the fastest time in Thursday’s second practice session.
Vervisch, who had earlier been second quickest in the day’s opening practice session, went even better in the afternoon to lead the field of much more experienced touring car drivers.
The Belgian, whose previous experience includes GT racing, was quicker than team-mate and defending champion Stefano Comini in both of the half-hour sessions on Thursday.
“We’re still early in the weekend, as I said after FP1, but the car is going well on all kinds of tyres so that’s good, but you don’t know what everyone else is up to,” said Vervisch. “I’m getting more confident and so that’s a good thing because so much is new for me.
“If we can get a top ten or even a top five it would be great. If not, we just go with the flow and we’ll take it step by step.”
Vervisch admits that not only is it his first time in the team’s second Audi RS3 LMS, but it is also his first time racing a front-wheel drive racing car.
“It is not only my first time on the Audi, but also the first time I drive a front-wheel drive car! I have to discover a lot of things this weekend, including standing starts, but it’s nice to be already on a good rhythm, although the track is still very green. I’m on a step-by-step approach…”
Qualifying takes place at 13:05 CEST (12:05 BST) on Friday, followed by race one at 17:25 CEST (16:25 BST).