Gianni Morbidelli: “I forgot what it’s like to be on pole”

WestCoast Racing’s Gianni Morbidelli was delighted with his first pole position, after a “frustrating season” so far with WestCoast Racing and the Volkswagen Golf, with the Italian last starting on pole position 412 days ago at Imola in May 2016.

Morbidelli, who took four poles in the first TCR International Series season in 2015 during the year in which he was for the most part favourite to win the title, outpaced all three of Team WRT’s Volkswagen Golf drivers at Oschersleben today to put his car on pole, where tomorrow he’ll start ahead of Dutchman Jaap van Lagen’s Golf and the SEAT León of Dan Lloyd for the first race.

“I already forgot the feeling to be on pole position,” said Morbidelli. “The performance we had today was great – we’ve never had this opportunity so far this season. For us, it’s been a very frustrating season to be realistic.

“To be on pole position here is good for me, but it’s also good for the team. WestCoast Racing have been fighting for the last years for the championship, so it’s good to come back to be on pole and help us recharge our batteries and to be motivated for the rest of the season.”