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Vernay: I can win WTCR title

Jean-Karl Vernay believes he can still win the WTCR - FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO.

With four events and 12 races remaining, the Audi Sport Leopard Lukoil Team driver is firmly in contention for the coveted title, 36 points behind Gabriele Tarquini in the championship standings.

Ahead of the resumption of battle at WTCR Race of China-Ningbo from 28-30 September, Vernay is not giving up despite non-scoring in two of the three races at the last event in Slovakia, insisting there is "no pressure, just full attack".

"It's unfortunate we didn't score points in the last two rounds," said Frenchman Vernay. "We were quite performing but we had some braking issue and then I got hit. Otherwise I think we were able to score another podium and more points but that's part of racing.

"I do [believe I can win the title]. I'm 36 points behind, which is a victory pretty much. For sure I don't know Ningbo and I don't know Wuhan but I am more or less the only Audi driver able to fight for the title, so for sure I will have the support of my team and this is definitely going to be important."

Vernay, a two-time winner in WTCR OSCARO, continued: "I'm really happy with the season until now and really proud of the performance of the team and the work of everybody. We are just missing a little bit of experience with the tyres and we need more front grip [because] we have a lot of tyre degradation. We are working on [developing the car]. We are still learning [but] I'm really proud of Audi and WRT. There is no pressure, just full attack and let's see."

Zdroj: fiawtcr.com