Tempestini: pushing hard mandatory in ERC

The seven-time Romanian champion started the deciding Lameirinha Power Stage 1.2sec ahead of Tom Kristensson in the battle to complete the top 10 finishers.

But a damaged front-right tyre in the closing kilometres of the test ultimately dropped him to 11th place.

“I don’t know what happened exactly, I just know that we hit a big, big stone that was on the line,” Tempestini said. “Maybe it’s on the line, maybe I make a mistake but we had a puncture and so we had to go slow for the last few kilometres. We also broke the bumper [so] and I am happy to be here at the end.”

Fourth in last season’s ERC standings, Tempestini is planning another expanded championship campaign in 2023, but explained contesting Rally Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas, Vieira do Minho e Cabeceiras de Basto wasn’t part of his original plan.

“We had a good pace in places, unfortunately when the race is so challenging with so many good drivers it’s mandatory if you want to be in the front you have to push really hard and take some risks. But at the end we are happy to participate in Portugal, it was not planned so for sure our target was to finish the rally and don’t do stupid things.”

Reflecting on the event, Tempestini said: “Our start position was not the best and it was not so easy to understand the grip but, overall, we are okay with our pace, we are improving and the most important thing is we were enjoying the rally.”