The Spanish Grand Prix saw Johann Zarco claim his third podium and second consecutive third place finish for the AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing Team. Continuing to show his dominance on the #5 Caterham Suter, the Frenchman put in an exhilarating performance

2014-09-28 09:39
The Spanish Grand Prix saw Johann Zarco claim his third podium and second consecutive third place finish for the AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing Team.
Continuing to show his dominance on the #5 Caterham Suter, the Frenchman put in an exhilarating performance as he fought hard with the leaders throughout the twenty one lap race and increasing his Championship points to 104 in the standings

After a disappointing qualifying session, team mate Ratthapark Wilairot was faced with a difficult start from row nine on the grid. Initially struggling to break through the pack, the Thai rider was forced back into thirtieth position on lap one. With all the work to do, Wilairot worked hard to get back into a rhythm, posting his fastest time of the race on the penultimate lap and gaining eight positions along the way.

With more points on the board the Caterham Suter now stands third overall in the Constructors Championship.

#5 Johann Zarco: P3

“It’s a happy Sunday again because I fought all through the race. I started from second position and I finished third but I am happy anyway because it was not easy and not the same conditions as all the weekend. It was much colder but we chose the soft tyre and with this I could be on the pace quickly. I was a long time third but not able to stay with the first and second rider because they were two tenths faster than me. Finally the rider in fourth position caught me and we had to fight and even the last lap we had many overtakes but finally I kept the podium. I’m very happy because this is the second in a row, which is pretty good for the mind before the overseas. So I must thank my team again for giving me a good bike. I want to keep this good feeling, stay on the pace and continue to fight for the podium until the end of the season.”

#14 Ratthapark Wilairot: P22

“Today it was difficult starting from the back. I didn’t do a good first lap and in the first two corners many riders passed me, we touched and I went wide and dropped back to thirtieth position. I tried to pass another rider on the first lap but my feeling on the bike was not so good and I could feel the bike coasting at the front. As the race went on and the fuel went down it felt better and I was able to pick up my pace and overtake many riders.

“I have a lot of positives to take away from this race because for one I feel a lot better with the braking now and I am happy with the bike because I can understand more. The main thing that we must improve is the qualifying and this is what I will focus on for Japan.”

Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager: “It was an interesting start to the day with the wet conditions but for us coming into the race with wet or dry, we were prepared for both options. The way Johann has been riding all weekend has been fantastic and this morning he was also first by a good margin in the rain.

“Johann made a very good race start but it looked as if he was losing a little to the first group. Then after the first four laps he started to go really well, pushing hard and battling with a couple of the riders. This actually allowed Vinales to break away, which is when they lost contact with him.
Most of the race he was holding third position and then he had some good fights and was looking very strong.

“This is our second podium in a row and that’s excellent. We are happy and we are taking one position in the Championship and moving up to third in the Constructors Championship with the Caterham Suter, which is very good for us to show that we are always pushing.

“With Ratthapark it was a bit difficult because he made a poor first lap. He had a bad feeling with the front of the bike which made him feel like he was closing the front and almost crashing. It was with a full tank so we must see what we can do better with this for next time. As the fuel decreased he came strong and was doing good lap times and he also did his quickest time with two laps to go. With the group he was in he was not so far off the points, so he has made a step, but we must qualify better and that is what we are going to aim for in Japan.

“I want to thank all the team for making a great effort all weekend.”

Source: Caterham Moto Racing Team

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