Dan Lloyd was keeping positive spirits after his non-finish in the second TCR Europe race at Monza, with the Brutal Fish Racing driver accepting the puncture which caused him to pick up his first non-score of the season.
Championship leader Lloyd had been running in sixth in the race when his front-right tyre punctured, ending any hopes of a points finish.
The Brit explained after the race that the puncture had been caused by a damaged wheel rim, in turn caused by contact with the JSB Peugeot of Julien Briché.
Despite the non-finish, Lloyd was unflustered by his non-score, admitting that he had been expecting to have some bad luck this year.
“I’ve had an amazing season so far – the results have been perfect – and I kind of felt like I was due some bad luck,” Lloyd said to TouringCars.Net.
“Everything is amazing – the car is amazing – and I’m driving very well. We came here with a nine-point lead and we’re leaving with a 32-point lead, so it’s not going to dampen my confidence or how I feel for the rest of the year.”
Although Lloyd said Briché was to blame for the contact which ultimately caused the puncture, he wasn’t too upset with the in-form Frenchman.
“It wasn’t my fault. Briché hit my front-right wheel on the first lap; he didn’t give me room and that’s what caused the rim to break and caused the puncture.
“It was a real shame; I had got up to sixth and the car was amazing, so we could have easily finished in the top five.
“I gave him room, I was being cautious, but he didn’t give me room. It’s a bit disappointing from that perspective, because I’ve had some good races with him in the past.
“If it was my fault why I didn’t finish then I would feel really bad, but it’s racing and stuff’s going to happen. It’s how you come back from it which is the important thing.”
Lloyd leaves Monza in an upbeat mood, with his championship lead having grown and team-mate Pepe Oriola having also scored his first win of the season.
“I’ve got a good lead, the car is very good, so it’s all good. I’m very happy for Pepe as well, as he’s had a tough season so far so I’m really happy for him and the team to get the win today.”
Lloyd is a little apprehensive about the next round in Barcelona in two weeks’ time, as he will be forced to carry additional compensation weight.
“I’ve got 60 kg [for Barcelona] which is going to make it tough, but I had a win there last year, I love the circuit and the Honda is good there, so it’s all good.
“I don’t know about winning with 60 kg, but top fives are possible I think.”