Valente: new WTCC team-mate Tarquini is like 10 engineers in one

Hugo Valente is so over his feud with Gabriele Tarquini to the extent he’s been praising his former FIA World Touring Car Championship archenemy.

Valente and Tarquini became embroiled in a heated war of words when they clashed on track in Rosneft WTCC Race of China last September.

Now LADA factory team-mates for 2016, Valente is keen to learn from his more experienced Italian colleague, WTCC champion in 2009.

“The guy knows everything about the car, the engine, anything, everything, he just knows what is happening – he’s like 10 engineers in one person because he has so much experience,” said Valente. “When we were at [LADA technical base] Magny-Cours [recently] I was taking notes on everything Gabriele was saying – I felt like a journalist!”

Of their Shanghai spat, Valente said: “What happened between us is forgotten. We are professionals, I am becoming an adult and he is already an adult. He is hot-blooded. I am too. He might be a pig on the track – I think that’s what they call him! – but in life he’s a very nice guy, very funny.

“It was just not the right place and the right time in Shanghai. We know we have to bring the team up and work together. We’re helping each other to help the team progress. If we’re having a war together it’s not going to help the team and that’s the most important thing.”