Josh Files happy with strong start after Hungary Race 1 podium

Josh Files opened his 2019 TCR Europe Touring Car Series account with a podium finish at the Hungaroring, finishing behind Target Competition team-mate Mat’o Homola on the podium in Race 1.

Files went from fourth to second during the first few corners of the race, and held on behind team-mate Homola, pressuring the Slovakian but ultimately having to settle for second.

“I actually made a pretty average start, but everyone else’s was worse,” said Files to TouringCarTimes. “Julien (Briché) was really fast at the start, as the Peugeot on the straight is like a lightning bolt – and I managed to defend from him for a bit and backed him up into Nelson (Panciatici), which left me free to attack Mat’o.

“I was faster than him but every time I got close, he just put the dirt on the track at Turn 11 and you lose four-tenths every time as you then have no grip all of a sudden, so he was being quite tactical.

“I’m really happy for Target – and now we start a little bit ahead of Mat’o for Race 2 so I think we’re in a strong position to fight for another podium.”