Rob Huff was pleased to take his first TCR International Series pole position of the year in qualifying at the Zhejiang Circuit, claiming that ‘it’s our turn’ to take pole.
Huff capitalised on the fact that the pace-setting Hyundais were not able to take part in Q2 to secure the top time in qualifying, pipping team-mate Jean-Karl Vernay by over a tenth of a second.
“I’m very, very happy with today’s performance and the weekend’s performance on the whole,” said Huff. “The Leopard WRT Volkswagens have been at the front all weekend and we capitalised on that in qualifying.
“I’m very pleased, and pleased for JK. It’s my last TCR International this year – due to the date change obviously I’ll be in Macau, so unfortunately, I won’t be there for support in the last round. I’m trying my best to do everything I can.”
Huff remained slower than Alain Menu’s top time from Q1 by three tenths, however, leading the Brit to congratulate Hyundai Motorsport for a job well done with their new car.
“It’s pretty obvious that if the Hyundai was there we wouldn’t be on the front row. They’ve done a hell of a job with that car, so congratulations to them, but it seems it’s our turn today.”
With the event being Huff’s last TCR outing in 2017, he admitted that it had been a tough year, in which he has only twice stood on the podium in ten races, and has yet to claim his first win with Leopard Racing.
“We’ve had a tough year – it’s not been easy,” added Huff. “For the first time ever I’ve rolled a car this year, in quite spectacular fashion, at the Salzburgring. The team have worked really hard all year to give us the best car we can have to win the championship, and today is for them.”
When asked how Huff would support team-mate Vernay, the Brit insisted that it would not be a straightforward case of him moving out of the way as soon as possible.
“No one said anything about letting him past if I’m allowed to win a race! Ultimately, we’re here for the team, to represent Leopard, and Volkswagen, and we’re going to do the best job we can for them.
“Let’s wait and see what happens, but you might be surprised!”