Jake Hill admitted that he was ‘gutted’ to miss out on a first pole position in the British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton, after Colin Turkington pipped him in the final seconds.
The MB Motorsport driver was still on top of the times when the chequered flag came out at the end of the ten-minute ‘shootout’ session – the first time the BTCC has run a split qualifying format – but Hill was ultimately pipped by Turkington moments later.
After having himself hit the top of the times with his lap of 1 minute 57.050 seconds with just a minute left on the clock, Hill admitted that it was frustrating to miss out on pole, for the second successive meeting.
“It’s a reminder of Knockhill – gutted,” said Hill, who had set the pace in the day’s only practice session earlier on. “Still, it’s been a great day and great to finish second, it’s just a shame because I really thought we were on for pole this time.
“FP1 went so well; the car felt fantastic and it felt great again in qualifying, but a small error here and there in the lap and that’s enough for a multiple champion to get you!
“We have a great chance of again getting a podium or potentially even snatching a win away from Colin.”
Hill believes that the fact he is not in the title fight – the 26-year-old is currently 11th overall – means he can fight no-holds-barred for his first win of the season.
“It’s going to be tough to beat him off the line, but I’ll have a good go and, by all means, I’m not the one fighting for a championship in this bunch so I’m going for it and I need that first win.
“I’m going to just go for it tomorrow. There’s nothing else to say really. I’m in a strong position starting alongside Colin.
“I’ve got [Tom] Ingram there as well and Colin and Tom will be at each other – they’re fighting for a championship. If I can, I’m going to try and get Colin on the opening lap and disappear, then take my first win.”