Ash Sutton was full of praise for his Laser Tools Racing Infiniti Q50 after doubling up with a second British Touring Car Championship victory at Knockhill, hailing it as the “best touring car” he has driven.
Sutton, who converted pole to victory in the opening race, would then go onto replicate the result by again soaking up race-long pressure from Colin Turkington despite carrying six kilograms extra success ballast in the second encounter.
Successfully holding position after two safety car restarts, Sutton then placed his Infiniti Q50 masterfully to keep the reigning champion at bay, setting fastest lap en route to his third win of the 2020 campaign to slash the points deficit to Turkington to only eight points.
After the race the 2017 champion told ITV he was “over the moon” with the result, and revealed he was full of confidence that he could taking his second victory of the day once he had kept the Northern Irishman behind on the run down to turn one.
“I’m over the moon with that. I think I can actually stand here and say that’s the best ever touring car I’ve driven,” said Sutton.
“It’s absolutely phenomenal. Obviously Colin put some huge pressure in at the start, we’ll never be able to match what the BMW can do off the line so that was my biggest concern and from that moment on it was just a case of managing Colin from there.”
“He was constantly there, I was always having to look in the mirrors. I defended probably four or five times more than I did in race one.
Questioned as to why exactly he has gelled so well with the Infiniti, Sutton admitted it is hard to pinpoint any specific reason but believes running a similar wheelbase to the BMW 3 Series is a big advantage in comparison to the Subaru Levorg he raced last season.
“I can’t pinpoint it to be honest with you, it really does suit my driving style. But I put it mainly down to the wheelbase – we’re running very similar wheelbase now to that BMW – obviously the Subaru was a lot shorter.
“Laser Tools and BMR Racing have done an absolutely mega job with the car this weekend and I tell you what, I want to strap myself back in and have another go!”