Jaap van Lagen takes engine change hit for Monza Race 2

Team WRT have been forced to change the engine in Jaap van Lagen’s Volkswagen Golf, after the Dutchman suffered a loss of power in Race 1.

The troubles for van Lagen started in qualifying, when he had to park his Golf just outside of the Parabolica at the end of the session.

“I was on my best lap, matching Jean-Karl (Vernay)’s sectors and on target to be sixth and, as I came into the last corner, the car just went quiet and stopped because of a fuel feed issue,” van Lagen explained to TouringCarTimes.

Additionally, the Dutch had experienced loss of performance all weekend: “I didn’t have any problem in the corners, everything was OK, but I lost four to eight km/h in the straights compared to Jean-Karl. It was only in the straights, so we knew there was a problem with the engine.”

Team WRT have opted for an engine change, which means van Lagen will start Race 2 from the back of the grid. “It’s a shame it has turned out like this, but we will see what we can do from the back of the grid. I’ll try to stay out of trouble and try to come forward” he added.