Nicky Catsburg finished third last time out with Polestar Cyan Racing as the FIA World Touring Car Championship travelled to Ningbo for the seventh round of the series. Very much in the title hunt, the Dutch racer looks back on the wet weekend in China and on to the final races of the season.
Ningbo was a difficult weekend for everyone given the wet conditions, but you came away with a third-place finish…
“Ningbo was definitely a difficult weekend with the weather, especially on Saturday as the weather conditions were changing from heavy rain to light rain to no rain. On Sunday the weather was more straightforward with rain and rain but there was just so much water – too much water in the end.
“Saturday (qualifying) wasn’t great in terms of performance and I’m quite lucky – and happy – to get away with the third position on Sunday, an overall gain to my main championship rivals.”
You’re 23 points adrift in the championship, so the title is far from over…
“The title is definitely far from over with the gap at 23 points. That’s basically almost nothing, as one weekend can change that completely. I’m looking forward to Motegi to try and get closer again to Thed, Tiago and Norbert.”
Your teammate Thed is leading the championship now. Are you anticipating team orders at all?
“I assume there will be no team orders between me and Thed. I definitely think we will have to try and optimise things with the three drivers on track.
“It’s clear that me and Thed are still in the running for the championship so, we have to help each other out and be wise with the decisions we make on track – make sure we do not put each other at risk – and try to win the title for the team, as well as the constructors’ title.”
Just three rounds left with Twin Ring Motegi, Macau and Qatar. These are obviously all very differing challenges….
“Yes, three very different circuits. At Motegi, the team did a good job there last year so I assume we will be competitive there. I think Macau will be a huge challenge for all of us. I have been there only once in a GT car. My teammates have not been there yet, while most of the competition have been there many times, so it won’t be easy but I’m looking forward to it as it’s a very special place.
“Qatar is an evening race and it’s a race I quite like. Last year wasn’t the best but the year before was quite good, so as a season finale I think it’s a cool venue. So, three tracks with three very different challenges, so I hope I can gain points and fight for the title.”
Macau especially can be something of a lottery. Is there any real planning and tactics you can apply heading to such a street circuit?
“It’s really hard to plan or think about tactics there. With the three Polestar Cyan racing drivers, we just need to be smart with how we approach the weekend and it’s important we keep focused on the championship. But as you said Macau is such a lottery at times, we just have to see how the weekend pans out…”