After claiming a double victory at the Valkenswaard round at the end of April, Roberts Vitols picked up right where he left off during the opening day of action at Tierp, taking control of the intermediate standings ahead of Saturday’s final phases.
Setting the fastest times in Q1, Q2 and Q3, the Latvian driver firmly established himself at the front of the Supercar Lites field. Despite what appeared to be a dominant performance on paper, Vitols was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the day had been straightforward.
“From the outside, it may have looked easy, but it definitely wasn’t a walk in the park. The main thing for us was being consistently competitive from free practice all the way through to Q3.”
Methodical in his approach, the Latvian built his performance on consistency and an ability to avoid mistakes around the notoriously demanding Tierp circuit. While the timing sheets suggested complete control, Vitols remained fully aware of the pressure coming from behind.
“The gaps are getting smaller with every heat and everyone is getting closer. My focus now is to keep improving because there are still areas where I can be better tomorrow.”
Rain expected on Saturday morning could also shake things up on a circuit known for its changing grip levels and difficult braking zones. Still, the current leader appears unfazed by the prospect of wet conditions.
“I haven’t really thought about the rain yet, but I’ve always enjoyed racing no matter the conditions, whether it’s rain, sunshine or even hail. We’re here to race, so it doesn’t bother me.”
Used to adapting quickly, Vitols even believes the changing weather could provide another opportunity to showcase his racecraft.
“The rain could make things even more interesting. It’s my first time here in Sweden and the circuit is really unique, with corners that are very different from traditional layouts. In wet conditions, it could become even trickier, but also really exciting.”
Aware that even the smallest mistake can prove costly in such a competitive category, the Latvian deliberately adopted a measured approach throughout Friday’s action.
“I was very consistent today. Most of my laps were within one or two tenths, which means I was driving at a fast but relatively safe pace.”
Even so, Vitols believes there is still room for improvement, particularly in some of the more technical sections of the circuit where he feels he can push harder.
“There are still several areas of the track where I know I can take more risks to gain time while still looking after the car.”
Beyond his own performance, the Latvian is also using the Swedish weekend as an opportunity to learn from more experienced figures in the paddock, starting with Timmy Hansen, with whom he shares the Eric Faren-run structure this weekend.
“It’s also a huge opportunity to work alongside someone like Timmy this weekend. His experience is immense and I’m trying to learn as much as possible from him. Just listening to him speak, there’s already a lot to take away.”