EXCELR8 heads the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ title race, with Team VERTU on top in the Teams’ Championship as a result of the finishing positions in the final race of the weekend.
The series now moves on to Brands Hatch Indy in two weeks.
Tom Chilton, #3 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“A race win in the final race, and third in the points is a really pleasing way to go into Brands Hatch and my favourite circuit on the calendar, although we haven’t had it all our own way this weekend. However, we fought through and to score the first win for Team VERTU this season and help to secure the team award for the weekend as a whole is mega.
“Luckily, the issue we had in qualifying came in Q3 as it didn’t leave us on the back foot too much for race day, where we were able to really make the most of the pace we had in the car. NAPA Racing are also very quick, so it isn’t just us and I feel the others were playing catch-up a bit, so it was important to really maximise what was available. We know the others will improve but we really made the most of a strong winter testing programme to hit the ground running and deliver the results.”
Adam Morgan, #33 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“Qualifying ruined a good Saturday and left us back in 21st on the grid when we had a car that should have been up in the top eight at the very least, so to come through and end the weekend with a P5 is pretty nice. I’m getting more and more in tune with the car every time I drive the car and hopefully this is a sign of thing to comes.
“Even in race one the pace had been great to come through the pack without using the turbo boost to just outside the top ten, and then I managed the soft tyres well to climb up the order in race two – although I think I’d have struggled if the race had run to any more laps.
“To the come through the field like was did and show the pace we showed is pleasing and I know there is still more to come. I feel I’ve gelled with the team very quickly and I’m having fun, but the key thing is that we have a competitive package, and I think I can be mixing it at the front for nine more rounds.”
Tom Ingram, #80 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“This season will be one where you can’t adopt the kind of approach that we saw Colin Turkington take previously of always being in the top six – now we realistically need to be pushing for the podium each weekend. It’s going to be a very competitive season, but we have started it strongly, which is ultimately what we needed to do.
“Clearly, we were very strong this weekend, as were NAPA Racing, but we know that there are others on the grid who are going to improve as the season goes on and the impact of the new turbo boost rules really takes effect.
“We’ve made our performance count this weekend to pick up three strong results, and I’m really pleased for Tom to get the win as he deserved it.
Michael Crees, #777 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“There is still a bit of work to do but I’ve done my test weekend now and I want to try and look forwards. We need to look at the data we’ve collected, and I think I need to work on my own fitness as it was tough in those conditions, but we’ve come away the opening round with no damage on the car and three solid races.
“The pace has been encouraging when you consider the lack of time, I’ve had in the car coming into the weekend and whilst points would have been nice, I’m happy enough with the results.”
Justina Williams, Team VERTU Team Owner, said:
“This has been a fantastic way for us to start the season and although it is still very, very early in the title race, it’s clear that the hard work that has gone in over the winter has put us in a strong position.
“We’re now reaping the rewards of the fact that we were able to get out testing at Anglesey before Christmas thanks to the support of Vertu, as it provided us with that early information of what we needed to do to deal with the removal of the hybrid systems.
“From the moment we hit the track this weekend, we’ve been quick and to come away with a win, four podiums and the team’s award is fantastic. Not only have Tom and Tom done a fantastic job, Adam has also driven brilliantly on his first weekend in the car and we’ve seen good progress from Michael considering this was his first real time behind the wheel.
“We can take a lot of confidence from the weekend but there is a long way still to go, and we need to make sure we don’t rest on our laurels.”
