The races will be an uphill struggle for Nash, but Chilton will start race two from pole - Photo Credit: WTCC Media
A penalty for a technical infringement has meant that James Nash and Team Aon have lost their best WTCC qualifying result to date at the Slovakiaring. It's not all bad news for the team though, as their other driver Tom Chilton will now start the second race from pole position as a result.
Nash had qualified his Ford Focus in fourth place after coming third in both of the earlier free practice sessions. Afterwards it was found that his car did not conform to the ride-height regulations, and he was handed a ten place grid penalty for both races that drops him to 14th place.
Chilton had set the 11th fastest time in Q2, but Nash's penalty means he moves up to tenth, handing him pole position for race two.
“Now we're starting 14th getting something out of the races is going to be very difficult,” said Nash. “The only good news to come out of my penalty is that my team-mate Tom Chilton who had initially qualified 11th will now start the top ten reverse grid race two from pole.
“Before the penalty the day had been good. I was in the top three in both Free Practice sessions this morning. I felt that with the brand new suspension fitted to the car and running on a track that is new for everybody, where nobody has previous year's data to guide them on set-up, that for the first time this season we were all competing on level terms.
“I had been hoping for a podium here but now as I say getting something out of the races will be very difficult. Still, I'll be trying my very best as always though my primary aim now will be two top ten finishes and some Championship points.”
