TCR International – Buri Ram, THAILAND: the win for Aurélien Panis!
It was a lights-to-flag victory for the young Frenchman after he took the lead at the start of race 2 at the Chang International circuit, 400km from Bangkok.
The first race was slightly more difficult due to a penalty at the previous round in Germany for an engine change, so Panis had to start from the back of the grid, but then needed an extra pit stop during this race to clean the radiator.
However, having qualified P10 for race 2 he started on pole position with the reverse grid regulation. Panis had a fantastic start in the black and orange Honda to keep the lead from the first corner and drive an awesome race to take his first ever victory in the in the very competitive TCR International series.
Aurélien Panis : “I knew before the races that our pace was really good because in free practice and qualifying I was really fast, but we didn’t get the perfect lap to be at the front. P10 for race 2 then starting from pole position was the best possible qualifying result for us. I must say thank you to the team because the car was great to drive. I’m very happy to be in the TCR International and to win today. For the young drivers, it’s a really good series and it’s great to be fighting with the top drivers like Michelisz, Vernay or Comini.”
Olivier Lainé : "Aurelien has cemented the potential we had already seen in the TCR Benelux [at Zandvoort]. His weekend has been amazing. Now, we will continue to work in this direction.”
RESULTS:
- Qualifying: P10
- Race 1: P19
- Race 2: P1 & best lap
NEXT EVENTS:
TCR Benelux
22-24 September
Mettet, Belgium
*Honda Civic TCR
Blancpain GT Sports Club
28-30 September 2017
Barcelona, Spain
*BMW M6 & 2 Lamborghini
TCR International
6-8 October
Zheijang, China
*Honda Civic TCR