Mat’o Homola hoping to hold on to points lead after Hungary Race 2
Mat’o Homola has opened up his TCR Europe Touring Car Series account with a pole and victory, while the Slovakian is aiming to just leave the Hungarian circuit in the lead of the standings, after he’s due to start Race 2 from tenth on the grid.
Homola, making the move from the World Touring Car Cup to the TCR Europe series this year, has joined the Target Competition team, two-times a winner of the TCR Germany championship and the first champions of the TCR International Series in 2015 – and has led the way as part of a competitive five-car line-up of Josh Files, Dusan Borkovic, Andreas and Jessica Bäckman this weekend.
Homola controlled the first race from pole position, leading the way ahead of team-mate Josh Files through the bulk of the race, winning by just over four-tenths of a second.
“I’m experienced enough now to control these types of races. I have in memory once when I was leading then on the last lap someone overtook me in 2017 – with Gianni Morbidelli (at Oschersleben),” said Homola to TouringCarTimes.
“This was my first start in this car, and it was a perfect start – I tried to make a gap, but the guys behind were pushing really hard as well. I didn’t want to make any mistakes, and on the last laps I was just controlling the pace.”
Homola has realistic expectations from Race 2, with six other Hyundais starting ahead of him on the grid.
“I think the key will be the start again, and try to overtake on the first lap. There are a lot of Hyundais up front, but compared to the other brands, the Hyundai is not so fast on the straight, it’s not going to be easy for us. I’ll try and grab some points as I’m leading the championship, and I just want to get some points from Race 2.”
