Gabriele Tarquini revels after taking the first WTCR victory at age 56

BRC Hyundai driver Gabriele Tarquini opened up the new era for World Touring Cars, winning the inaugural race of the new World Touring Car Cup from second on the grid, at the age of 56 years and one month.

The Italian had qualified on the front row alongside last year’s WTCC champion Thed Björk in the YMR-run Hyundai, but launched ahead of him into Turn 1 and took the lead, with the wily Italian remarking he then didn’t feel threatened, knowing it was not possible to overtake at the Moulay El Hassan street circuit.

“I knew that it was very tough to overtake on the track, so I did my best at the start,” said Tarquini.

“Fortunately, I know this car very well, while Thed just had this car a few weeks’ ago, so he probably doesn’t know how the car reacts.

“I used new tyres as well, and I had a great start. Later in the race, I was just managing the pace and the brakes, as I remember in 2016 I had some problem with the brakes, and speaking with the drivers, last year everybody was also complaining about the brakes.

“We must consider this car is not as forgiving on brake cooling like WTCC, and we carry more than 150 kilos more (in these cars). It was very tough but fortunately I had nobody in front of me.”

Reflecting on the race victory, as the eldest driver in the field, the Italian said he’s very grateful.

“I feel very lucky to fight with these guys who can be my son,” he said. “When you are 56, normally you are thinking about pensions, about other different things, while I am still driving.

“To be honest I don’t think any big handicap comes from my age. I feel some good motivation comes from my experience and sometimes I use this experience to do very good things. I feel very lucky because my career was very, very long…and I enjoy it much more now than when I was young because now I don’t have any pressure.”