Pepe Oriola (winner): “I am really happy with this win, it was about time. I won at first event and now at last, it’s a pity we had such bad luck in-between… My start was really great, I was at the edge of stalling, but luckily it didn’t happen. I saw enough space close to the wall and just kept going, as I had nothing to lose. All this put me in P1 at first corner, but it was a very tough race as gaps were always very close, given also the safety-car period. Shedden was faster than me in some points, especially in turn 7, but I knew I could control the situation. Nothing bad happened this time and it is really nice to finish the season on a high.”
Gordon Shedden (second): “Being my first race in TCR, with this car and this tyres, I am happy with the result. My start wasn’t terrible but not very good either, clearly I lack some experience with TCR cars, but after, I could keep a good pace, trying not to do anything stupid. The car performed well, although I lost an aero part at some point, and I am very happy the team secured the title already in Race 1. Now we can have fun in Race2.”
Jean-Karl Vernay (third – 2017 Drivers’ champion): “I don’t know yet how I feel… but obviously, it is great to be champion. I am very happy for Leopard Racing, WRT and Volkswagen. Everybody did a great job in a season that was quite tough. My start today was poor, although we had trained that during practice, so the race wasn’t easy. Strategy did not work, as there was another car between Shedden and me, so I had to do things on my own… I fought with Nash, who had passed me at the beginning, and had Tassi pushing behind me, so it wasn’t that easy, but I remained calm. Towards the end, Nash was slower because his tyres were gone, so I knew I could pass him, but waited until the last lap, in order not to create a new fight. It was a close move, but I also knew James is a very fair contender. Personally, this title means a lot to me, as it comes after titles in LMP, GT and single-seaters, so it proves I can will with all sorts of cars.”
