Autosportfoto

They said what? WTCR drivers look ahead to Zandvoort

This is what leading WTCR OSCARO drivers have had to say about Circuit Zandvoort, venue of WTCR Race of Netherlands.

Tom Coronel (Boutsen Ginion Racing, pictured): "It's a very important and special weekend because there are so many motorsport fanatics in Holland at the moment with Max Verstappen so hot. It will be very good for our championship to be part of the Jumbo Racedagen but Zandvoort is also very good for racing, overtaking and different styles of lines. I've always seen good fights at this track, it's an historical track, the elevation is there, there are high-speed corners and there's Tarzan of course, the first corner, where you can go easily with three people side by side and that's just one corner where this is possible. I was an instructor at the racing school and was driving there nearly every day. In every category I won races, Formula Ford, Opel Lotus, Formula 3, touring cars, GT cars, doesn't matter I won races. It's a pity they resurfaced the track because there was a much bigger chance of me having an advantage before when I knew every bump. Last year there was a new surface so there is a small question mark. But Zandvoort is the real focus for me this year and Honda Benelux will be doing a lot with the dealers."

Denis Dupont (Audi Sport Team Comtoyou/RACB National Team driver): "It's going to be very tight, always with hard racing and pretty exciting too. I have raced there two times so I know the track quite well. Once I won, the other time was not so good after a bad weekend. You can always expect some rain in Zandvoort because it comes easily and the weather always changes. I was there for the Jumbo Racedagen last year when Max Verstappen was also there. There was a massive amount of people, it was just crazy but really nice to race in front of such a big crowd. Being from Belgium, if I have to name a home race then it's this one and it will the best moment to be there. We had a test at Zandvoort in March. It was only in the rain and it was cold also but it was good to get back to knowing the track again."

Benjamin Lessennes (Boutsen Ginion Racing): "Zandvoort will be the only track this year that when I arrive there I will have a base [knowledge and set-up] because all the other tracks are and will be new to me. Of course this will be an advantage but we know the Honda was not always the fastest in the past there so we will have to work a lot although I am really confident. I'm happy going to Zandvoort because it's a track I know but I like fast tracks and Zandvoort is not exactly a fast track. Because I know the track I have to be really focused and make no mistakes. It will be a hard job but there is no pressure. I am only 18 so first I am here to learn, do a good job and keep the car of Tiago Monteiro on track but also try to make the podium quickly."

Gabriele Tarquini (BRC Racing Team): "I won there in the World Touring Car Championship in 2007 and the time before then was in 1985 when I raced in Formula 3000, my first time there. I remember the first corner, Tarzan, which is still the same but I know the rest of the track is not the same and I honestly have totally forgotten what I experienced in 2007. For the rhythm it's good to be doing back-to-back races after Germany rather than stopping for a long time and going again, which can happen during the season. But because it's close I still get the chance to go back to home in Italy, spend a few days with my family before coming back and starting again."

Zdroj: fiawtcr.com