Yann Ehrlacher was pleased to finish as runner-up in the second FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) at Zandvoort, having fought his way onto the podium past Campos Racing’s Pepe Oriola.
Münnich Motorsport’s Ehrlacher started from fifth and by the end of the first lap was in fourth, having elected to take the outside line around Turn 1.
The Frenchman was then engaged in a fierce battle with the CUPRA of Oriola for third, before getting past the Spaniard with a push three laps from the finish.
That then gave Ehrlacher the chance to gain another place, as team-mate James Thompson, who had been running in second, ceded position to his title-contending colleague.
“It was enough; honestly we did our best, but it is quite hard to overtake here,” said Ehrlacher to TouringCars.Net after second took him to within one point of Yvan Muller at the head of the standings.
“Finishing P2 is a good result from P5, and thanks to James for letting me past on the last lap.”
Ehrlacher defended his robust pass on Oriola towards the end of the race, when he got by at Turn 10.
“The move I did on Oriola was strong but fair. I think I was one of the only ones to make some manoeuvres there, but I think it was part of the show.
“He was unfairly closing the door at every corner. He was moving very late and it was a bit surprising sometimes as we almost crashed at T1 together.
“He was not closing any more, he was blocking, so I had to go through and it was a bit strong.”
Ehrlacher believes that another podium is a real possibility in the final race of the day, where he starts from sixth, having just missed out on getting into Q3 in the morning’s qualifying session.
“To start from P6 is a good result. We managed to be on the podium in this one and we can still be on the podium in the last one.”