After an eye-catching debut performance last time out at Zolder, Gilles Magnus came crashing back down to Earth again in this weekend’s set of World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) races at the Nürburgring.
The young Belgian had started the weekend brightly during the dry Thursday practice sessions, but bad luck with a mechanical issue limited his progress in qualifying.
Once the rain came down and the track became more slippery, Magnus found it hard to replicate his earlier speed in the races, finishing seventh in race one before crashing out of race two.
“It was a really tricky one. I’m disappointed for the team, and for myself,” he said. “The crash just wasn’t worth it, I mean I was running in P12 at that moment I think.
“It was difficult to overtake, the pace wasn’t there so I didn’t want to take any risks, but still, I locked up the brakes and hit the wall.
“I don’t understand how, but we will look at the data to see what went wrong and learn about it, but yeah, difficult one. I’m disappointed for sure, but that’s how it is sometimes.
“For sure we have to work on our pace in wet conditions because all the three Audis were not really fast enough, so that’s something to improve for the next race.
“Slovakiaring in two weeks will offer new opportunities. It’s more of a normal track I’d say because the Nordschleife is really special and really, really difficult in the conditions as a rookie. I think the Audi is quick around there, so let’s see, let’s push.”
Despite a tough weekend, Magnus leaves the Nürburgring with a 16-point lead over Bence Boldizs in the WTCR rookie standings, and finds himself placed third overall in the WTCR Trophy for independent drivers.