Josh Files hits out at “stock car” racing following Race 1 incident

Josh Files has hit out at TCR Europe series points leader Mikel Azcona for using his Cupra TCR like a “battering ram” following contact between the pair in Race 1 at the Hungaroring.

Files and Azcona were fighting for the lead of the race in slippery conditions when the latter tried to overtake Files round the outside of the final turn.

Files then hit the rear of Azcona’s PCR Sport Cupra, damaging his own rim and ultimately suffering a puncture.

Azcona finished fourth to maintain his slim championship lead as Target Competition driver Dusan Borkovic won the race.

“My car was hit like he was in battering ram, especially in the last sector and slow corners,” Files explained to TouringCarTimes.

“He [Azcona] then went all the round the outside, which was fair enough, but he made an apex while I was still there.

“It destroyed the rim which punctured the tyre, but he’s nearly destroyed his championship as well. I don’t understand why he wanted to take that kind of risk.”

Files also lamented the driving standards during a scrappy opening encounter, the result of which also put out his KCMG team-mate Attila Tassi.

“It’s like stock cars at the moment. Look at Attila, he was doing very well and then he was literally rammed off the race track.

“I’m all for fair racing, Dusan made an awesome move under braking for Turn 1, I gave him just enough space and he made the pass.

“Azcona was up there because the Cupra was fast in the wet conditions. It’s not in the dry and I sincerely hope it’s dry tomorrow so we can see his real pace.”

Azcona maintained that he was taking his normal line into the final corner and that the overtake was legitimate.

“I tried to make the overtake on Files and he just hit me off,” Azcona told TouringCarTimes.

“I nearly made contact with the barrier. I was so lucky that I was able to continue. I was very quick in the wet conditions, was feeling good with the car.

The Spaniard believed the wet conditions gave him a chance to take victory had the incident not occurred.

“I definitely had the pace to win the race. I knew that if I managed to get past Josh, I could win. Tomorrow, if it is sunny and hot, then it will be difficult to do well in Race 2.”

The accident was investigated after the race but stewards opted not to take any action.