Vernay: “I am more motivated than last year”

Last year, you were the best Audi representative in WTCR (5th); how do you analyze the 2018 season?

It would be nice to continue like this! It was complicated to do better. We had a great season. Missing the final podium was annoying but we knew very well that we weren't going to win overall. I still won four races, I come in second place among the best winners in 2018 (behind Gabriele Tarquini, 6 successes. Editor’s note).  

What a great race by @JkVernay! Watch the highlights of his win in today's @FIA_WTCR race at Macau. #TCR #WTCR #LeagueofPerformance pic.twitter.com/XRf3jQ6Xjj

- Audi Sport (@audisport) November 17, 2018

This year, the team has restructured itself again to be even stronger. New competitors are arriving, manufacturers are putting in enormous resources. We are still a little unknown as to the order of the races. In addition, Marrakech is a specific event because of its tight and short route; you will have to wait two or three meetings to find out more. 

What to predict about this 2019 campaign?

The championship is even tougher than last year. The grid is fantastic. The peloton will be more homogeneous. When we mess up, instead of finding ourselves seventh, we will fall to 14th place. This is why you should never miss out. Winning a race won't be any more complicated than before. When the car is light (with the adjustment of the BoP. Editor's note), it will be necessary to score big points and not pass through. There will be turnover at the forefront depending on the circuits and the brands. 

You are one of the few drivers to stay with the same team this year in WTCR, how is that an advantage? 

Of course. At WRT I feel at home, but sometimes you have to be careful. Enjoying too much comfort is counterproductive. If we want to continue to improve, we must not take the easy route. That's why we did a team building this winter to talk about it. If we want to progress, we need to find other sources of motivation, to move a little more, whether it's me or the team.

.@JkVernay goes multinational with #WTCR number design!
“I have the Japanese flag because I fell in love with Japan when I was young.”
More ... https://t.co/HMa6LgC0xU pic.twitter.com/ZA4ybchgxA

— FIA WTCR / Oscaro (@FIA_WTCR) March 4, 2019

On n’a pas envie de s’arrêter là. Je suis plus motivé que l’an dernier. On a les moyens de gagner ce championnat. On l’a démontré l’an dernier, mais Hyundai avait pris beaucoup trop d’avance en début de saison. 

Do you set yourself a goal for this first Moroccan round? In 2018, you won Race 2…

Yes, but it was an inverted grid. There's no point in predicting where I'll be. But what I am certain of is that I feel more motivated than last year. The first objective will be to finish first driver in the VAG group (Audi, Volkswagen, Cupra). It won't be easy, but my desire is increased tenfold.

We feel more combative all the same.

Yes, for different reasons. there are many brands that are coming in with big bucks. Volkswagen has abandoned the World RX and is refocusing on the WTCR, Cyan Racing with Lynk & Co arrive with a well-developed package. And that boosts me. If we beat them with our own means, that would mean that our work is excellent. It pisses me off, but in a good way, it motivates me. 

How to handle the WTCR and GT3 program? 

I made the decision to only do a few big GT3 races. I could compete in the Sprint (renamed Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe. Editor's note) It's not a question of performance, but I don't want to scatter doing lots of competitions, and doing them badly. Initially, Audi hired me for the WTCR, that's where I feel most comfortable and that's where my attention is focused.

I took the risk of going to TCR three years ago. At the time, a lot of people made fun of this category. Today, I'm sure they would like to be part of it. With the rise in level, I can't do this as a dilettante. It’s a championship with phenomenal ratings. All drivers dream of being there, at Audi it gives rise to some jealousy (laughs). The championship is diabolical, the fights are great, these are the best races. I hope to be part of it for many years.