Chilton thanks Vila Real for an ’amazing’ WTCC weekend

Tom Chilton celebrated his third FIA World Touring Car Championship podium of 2016 by thanking the Portuguese fans for an “amazing” weekend.

Chilton shadowed Tom Coronel throughout the Opening Race in Vila Real, finishing half a second behind the Dutchman, having demoted Nicky Catsburg to third through the opening turns.

“This whole weekend has been absolutely amazing and thank you so much everyone for having us, the crowd and the fans have been absolutely amazing,” said the British ace. “I’m also very happy for Tiago, the local boy winning, so well done Tiago.”

Of his Opening Race charge, the Sébastien Loeb Racing driver added: “I got a fantastic start and got a nice run on Nicky into turn one and made it stick. I felt I was quite a lot faster than Coronel but there is just no room for overtaking and after half the race you’ve used your tyres up and you’ve got no downforce. It was exciting to watch, lots of smoke coming off the tyres, braking on the hill, drifting in fifth gear on the limiter, it’s just an awesome circuit and it’s fantastic for Sébastien Loeb Racing because we just won the WTCC Teams’ Trophy, which is absolutely amazing.”