Comtoyou Racing’s Gilles Magnus is hoping for a dry opening TCR Europe race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya after struggling in wet-weather conditions in qualifying.
Magnus – quickest of everybody in dry conditions during practice yesterday – qualified ninth for the opener, his best time of 2:13.409 a full 1.2 seconds adrift of polesitter Andreas Backman.
That came, however, on Magnus’ first time behind the wheel of the Audi RS 3 LMS – tipped before the weekend as the ‘form’ car – in wet conditions.
Despite some frustration, the RACB National Team member is now turning his attention to banking solid points in both races.
“I’m a little disappointed in myself,” explained Magnus to TouringCars.net.
“I haven’t got any experience in the wet so I knew it was going to be tough but I still could and should have been quicker, so I’m a little disappointed.
“But start P9 and P2 isn’t bad at all. As we’ve been working on race pace during free practice, I feel confident for tomorrow’s race.”
Magnus and Comtoyou Racing are also looking into why the Belgian’s pace decreased, the more the track dried up and, therefore, theoretically became quicker.
However, he believes the decision to remain on wet tyres for the duration was still the correct call.
“As the track improved I went slower, so that’s something we are analysing right now. But, for sure, it was too early for slicks.”
Wet weather has plagued the 2.89-mile Catalan circuit for most of the day, though qualifying took place amid drying conditions.
The forecast for the race remains a subject of debate; Magnus is personally hoping for an improvement in the conditions.
“I would prefer a dry race as I am not experienced in the wet with this car and as the Audi really works well in the dry with our low weight.”
The race gets underway at 17:20 CEST.