Attila Tassi hopes to repeat super start at Spa on Saturday

M1RA’s Attila Tassi catapulted from sixth on the grid to first at the first corner in Race 1 at Spa-Francorchamps, and the 17-year-old hopes to repeat the same feat in Race 2 on Saturday and give himself the best chance of securing his first victory.

The Hungarian soared straight into the lead in the Honda Civic TCR, but was passed by Comtoyou Audi driver Stefano Comini on lap two, eventually dropping to third while fighting off the Volkswagen Golf of Jean-Karl Vernay.

“I was practicing my starts a lot, so it worked out as we went from P6 to P1,” said Tassi to TouringCarTimes. “I could lead the race for two laps, but we knew before this weekend that Audi would be strong as they have a higher high speed than us; so after Eau Rouge when Stefano (Comini) overtook me, I wasn’t fighting with him as it was just a waste of time.”

Tassi then lost one more spot to the rival Honda of Benjamin Lessennes on lap three, before he was caught by championship leader Jean-Karl Vernay, but was able to hold on to take his second podium finish of the season.

“I was struggling with a lot of understeer, and I was trying to look after my tyres,” he added. “On the last few laps I had Vernay behind me and had to fight really hard.

“I’m one position further forward for the reversed grid tomorrow, so if we do the same start as today, we have even better hopes.”