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Tom Coronel aiming for podiums after closely-fought qualifying

Tom Coronel says podium finishes in the final two FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) races in Slovakia should be the goal, but underlined the need for everything to be perfect in order to compete in the closely-matched field.

The DHL-backed Boutsen Ginion Racing driver qualified 18th after a couple of small mistakes proved to be the difference in a closely fought session eventually topped by the Hyundai i30 N of Norbert Michelisz.

Speaking to TouringCars.net after the session, Coronel believes he was perhaps too cautious, but highlighted the highly-competitive nature of the championship, and in this session in particular.

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“I think I was too cautious, I was not aggressive enough, this is what I can see. Especially after qualifying yesterday, after the race when we finished P7, I thought I would be in the top twelve,” said Coronel.

“It was unbelievably close, from P3 to P12 it was two tenths. I just made a mistake in two corners and then you’re out, that was it.”

“Everything has to be perfect. This is how close this is. Look at some people who are in the championship like Gordon Shedden and a few other big names. Sometimes you’re there, sometimes you’re not and you don’t understand why and this is, I think, the biggest difficulty.

“I’m never frustrated. I’m hot – but never frustrated. I’ve been in this business too long. I need my moment of fame though, there is some time to get a podium.

“To be honest, I thought it was here, especially after qualifying yesterday and the consistency today, I thought there was a good chance. But no, in the qualifying we destroyed it, so we have to wait for the Asian races.

The Dutchman underlined his confidence in the team and his Honda Civic Type R challenger, with clear progress being made in their pursuit of silverware.

“I’m confident. With the team we’re growing, with the car we’re growing and that’s the most important thing,” he added.

“You need points, that’s it. I finished P7 in Race 1 so this is good points. Now I’m aiming for podiums. This is easy – I need to bring a trophy home.

“My boy is seven years old and he doesn’t understand P5, P6, P7, P8. He’s like ‘ah, you crashed or you won’, he doesn’t understand the difference, so that should be the goal.”

The second race of the weekend gets underway at 18:00 BST.

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