Jimmy Clairet was both happy and disappointed after the TCR Europe races at Monza, after the Peugeot driver followed up his race one retirement with fourth in race two.
Clairet had been on the pace throughout the Monza weekend, and on Saturday qualified in a season-best third for race one.
However the Frenchman crashed out after a mistake on the opening lap, requiring his Team Clairet Sport mechanics to rebuild his car on Saturday night.
Clairet repaid their efforts on Sunday with a drive to fourth in race two, coming through from eighth in the reverse-grid race.
The 29-year-old thus left Italy in positive spirits, but rued the opportunity to challenge for the win in the first race the previous day.
“It’s a very good result,” said Clairet to TouringCars.Net. “My team was really strong, and we rebuilt both cars, my car and Teddy’s car, so I’m really happy to do the race and have good battles.
“Everything is for the team and I’m really happy to be on the pace during the race. The best lap is quite good, so I am confident for Barcelona.
“I don’t know what the ballast will be, but I think we have a good car now for TCR and I’m really happy with this race.
“I think the engine is very good and we are at a track with a lot of speed, so the engine helped us and when the brakes are well managed it’s OK for us.
“It’s complicated because if I hadn’t crashed yesterday, I could have played for the win, so I am happy but disappointed too, so it’s fifty-fifty.”
Clairet was cautious when asked if he would be able to replicate the same form in Barcelona in two weeks’ time.
“Honestly, I think no [to challenging for victory in Barcelona], because I think we will have a lot of ballast for Barcelona and the Peugeot doesn’t feel good with the ballast.
“I think we have a good car, but with the ballast maybe it will be complicated.”