Pepe Oriola was left elated after scoring his and CUPRA’s first victory of the 2018 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) at the Slovakia Ring earlier today [14th July].
Oriola managed to pip slow-starting pole sitter Gabriele Tarquini’s Hyundai i30 N TCR into the first corner, with Jean-Karl Vernay’s Audi RS 3 LMS following in close proximity.
Wasting little time, the Spaniard then dispatched erstwhile race leader Aurelien Comte’s Peugeot 308 into the high-speed Turn 2 and set about managing his advantage – even despite a safety car restart.
He would eventually take the chequered flag 1.7 seconds clear of Vernay, with a recovering Tarquini rounding out the rostrum.
“I had a good start. It was hot into the first corner, but Jean-Karl and I have known each other a long time and have raced together for two years. I was confident he would not touch me, but you never know!” said Oriola to TouringCars.net.
“After that I just tried to follow Comte. I thought he would be quicker, but I could attack after the first lap after some mistakes he made.
“And then in the lead I tried not to make any mistakes, which at this track is difficult because the braking points are really hard to pick up.
“Then we had the safety car and the restart. I knew it would be really important because the only place Jean-Karl would be able to overtake me was the first sector and if he would keep close to me on the restart I knew I would really suffer after Turn 2.
“So I did my best to open up as much of a gap as I could before the last corner, and it worked. I am really happy for the team and for Cupra. It’s a good happy birthday for me too which was on Monday, so I’m really happy with that.
Oriola will look to carry the momentum over into the second qualifying session, which starts at 14:10 BST.