Néstor Girolami says he is hoping to ‘reset’ ahead of this weekend’s World Touring Car Championship races at his home circuit in Argentina, as he looks to put an ‘unlucky’ start to the season behind him.
Having signed for the factory Polestar squad at the start of the season, big things were expected from the two-time Súper TC2000 champion.
However Girolami has managed just one podium finish in 2017 so far, in the season opener in Morocco, whilst his Volvo team-mates have surged to over 100 points ahead in the drivers’ championship standings.
Girolami has been beleaguered by technical and other issues in his first full season in the WTCC, leaving him just ninth overall in the drivers’ championship standings.
“I feel I have the speed to be at the top but I only have bad luck,” said Girolami. “Motorsport is like this, sometimes you get the luck, sometimes you get the bad luck. You need to be patient, be focused and do your best to help your team.
“We are fighting for two championships and it’s important I can help my team-mates. But it’s also time to reset, focus on the five races left and try to do my best and be on top in every race because this is my spirit.”
Girolami has not previously taken on the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo in the WTCC before, but the Argentine has plenty of experience of the circuit from national racing.
“The last sector is quite technical and people lock a lot the tyres in the last corner,” said Girolami. “This is one secret we have because we know how to set up the car so we don’t lock the tyres. This is really important and maybe we can take some advantage from this.”
Girolami admits that he is looking forward to racing in front of his home fans, where along with Campos Racing’s Esteban Guerrieri he will be one of the home favourites.
“It was one of my dreams [to race in front of home fans in the WTCC] and it’s really important for me to be close to my fans,” added Girolami. “Hopefully we have less compensation weight in the car in Argentina so it can be a better result.
“It will also be fantastic to share this weekend with Esteban and our fans. We have been thinking about this for many years and fighting for it. Now we achieved it we deserve to enjoy this weekend.”