Pau-Arnos – Ehrlacher: “We can’t wait to start this French weekend”

France has been waiting for the WTCR since 2016 and the passage of the WTCC by Paul Ricard. Since then, nothing. But this wait is finally coming to an end. This weekend, the players in the World Touring Car Cup will meet at the Pau-Arnos circuit in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques for the 6th round of the season.

On site, the Tricolores are present with Nathanël Berthon, Jean-Karl Vernay, also entered in PURE ETCR, the legend Yvan Muller and the reigning champion Yann Ehrlacher. A godsend for the three French people. 

“It’s the first time that I’ve raced in France since I’ve been in WTCR but also on this circuit,” said the latter. I can't wait to race at home. It feels good to be at home and to receive extra support from the spectators around the circuit. We're really looking forward to riding here. The French public has been waiting for the return of the Touring Car for a long time. We can't wait to start this French weekend. »

READ ALSO: YVAN MULLER: “NOTHING LIKE PAU-ARNOS”

Although he is discovering Pau-Arnos in the WTCR, Yann Ehrlacher had the chance to drive there a few days ago at the wheel of a Mitjet. He was able to discover the particularities of the Béarnaise roller coaster but also the difficulties it hides. “It’s a track that demands a lot from the drivers,” continues the Cyan Racing Lynk & Co driver. “It is short, barely three kilometers, so the gaps will be small as we saw in Most (Czech Republic October 9-10 ). Every mistake will have great consequences. In the race, the most important thing will be the first chicane. It is easy to touch and difficult to pass. Qualifying will be crucial here. We will concentrate on achieving the best results for the weekend grids.

It's an old-fashioned circuit. There is the track then directly the grass and the gravel. Ultimately, we all want to keep all four wheels on the tarmac. Obviously it's a bit risky because if you go out, you go out. It's a great way to have clean races. It also feels good to push to the limits with a little more risk than on tracks where there are big clearances. This makes the exercise more exciting. »

Systematically ahead of Esteban Guerrieri in the Czech Republic who came back to 20 points in the general classification, Yann Ehrlacher does not plan to play the insurance card this weekend. If he is not thinking about the title race, Yann Muller's nephew nevertheless intends to attack at Pau-Arnos.

“It will be a weekend of big attack. It is still too early to think about the championship. It is obviously not necessary to take a lot of risks but I still want to enjoy the race, have fun and fight for victory. My main goal is to win races and get big points. I will take almost any risk to achieve this. Until I'm in the lead, I won't be safe. I want to fight for the best positions. » Esteban Guerrieri is warned.