Since making the switch to the TCR International Series for 2017, France’s Hugo Valente has shown good consistency, as the Lukoli Craft-Bamboo driver took two podiums at this weekend’s event in Sahkir.
Valente, who raced with Campos Racing in the WTCC last year, is now up to 6th in the overall standings on 38 points, having taken a second and third place finish respectively.
“I’m very happy. The biggest part of the job was today because starting from P8 was always going to be more difficult than yesterday,” said the 24-year-old, who is now ahead of M1RA’s Attila Tassi and team mate James Nash in the points table.
“I’ve only finished three races so I’m really happy with a double podium from this weekend for sure. I said it was really important to score a lot of points this weekend and so I’m over the moon with the performance.”
Valente felt that he could have caught Nash in the latter stages of the race, but coupled with the winds and sand causing grip struggles for all drivers, tyre degradation stopped his efforts in catching the Brit, who suffered technical issues in the season opener in Georgia.
“I’m really happy for him as he had a really difficult weekend there, so it’s good to share a first podium with him; I hope there will be a lot of others this season.”
Countryman and new championship leader Jean-Karl Vernay was also in the mix, finishing fourth behind Valente, who felt that the race was entertaining, with all drivers being on their guard.
“It was a fun race with lots of overtaking and defending and Vernay was like my bodyguard – pushing everyone off in front and then keeping [Robert] Colciago behind. I’m looking forward to Spa now, I know the track and it will be interesting to see how the car behaves there.”