Monday 30 April 2018

Grönholm RX achieve targets in tricky Portugal conditions

Photo Credit: GRX Taneco
GRX Taneco aimed to get both cars through to the semi-finals, and they achieved this target with Niclas Grönholm and Timur Timerzyanov. The two drivers made a smooth start to the first day with Grönholm eighth fastest and Timerzyanov finishing in ninth place in Q1. 

Grönholm progressed up the rankings to seventh place in Q2, whereas Timerzyanov could do no better than 13th. “We didn’t make any mistakes and the car was running well," said Grönholm. "We need to do some more work on the settings as it’s a new car, but we’re getting there.”

On Sunday morning the conditions became tricky when the rain turned to snow, but the conditions didn’t prevent Grönholm from making it through to the first semi-final with eighth place and 14th fastest times. Timerzyanov, in search of points, qualified for the second semi-final by clocking the 12th fastest time in Q3, before following up with an encouraging seventh place. 

I went all out in Q4,” Timerzyanov said. “I got a good start and led my race. Conditions were quite changeable and it wasn’t easy to find grip. We missed out on the top 10 in qualifying by just one point, but getting both cars into the semi-finals is a positive result.”

Starting from the back row in each semi-final, the two drivers had a chance to secure a few more points which later would prove vital for the team consolidating FOURTH place in the Teams' Championship standings. 

I got off to a good start, but Kevin Hansen closed the door on me,” Grönholm said. “I had to take the main line. I was fourth at that point and then put in my joker lap. We were up with the pace, but the strategy didn’t work out in our favour.

We had a sensor issue,” Timerzyanov added. “I was stuck on the start line for several seconds. The car is in great shape but there’s still some work to do for the next round in Belgium.” 

The GRX TANECO Team will now head to Belgium. The Mettet Circuit will host the third round of the 2018 season from Friday 11 May. 

Source: GRX Taneco

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