Rising water and oil temperatures forced Tom Coronel on the defensive during the final TCR Europe race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The Dutchman claimed sixth yesterday on board the Boutsen Ginion Racing Honda Civic Type R FK7, but had to defend heavily to salvage eighth in the second race earlier today.
That included some dramatic moments after avoiding a late-braking Santiago Urrutia at Turn 10, and contact with Luca Engstler’s Hyundai i30 N at the final chicane.
It was rising water and oil temperatures, however, that put Coronel down on power and dropped him away from the lead battle after the first few laps.
The issue could see him miss the season finale at Monza on 12-13 October if an engine change is required.
“I was having fun by defending, but we just checked the oil temperature, which was 20 degrees hotter than Lloyd’s and my water temperature 10 degrees, so we have a problem,” explained Coronel to TouringCars.net
“My engine is getting is too hot. Yesterday the oil was only 134, but now it was 141. Too much friction in the engine.
“It depends if I need to change the engine, whether we will go to Monza. If we have to, then it will be for what? To be at the back of the grid for the races?
“So that I’m not a fan of, so let’s wait and see. But we need to have a look at the engine first, for me it seems like it is dying.
“After three laps I got difficulties, like yesterday. The water and oil temperature was too hot, even now when it went completely crazy, the engine temperature went to about 140 degrees. The power was down and all I could was drive clever and defend, which worked out quite well.”