Strong weekend still possible despite weight says Josh Files

TCR Europe series points leader Josh Files has not ruled out a strong weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, despite running maximum weight on his Hyundai i30 N TCR.

The Target Competition driver was the highest-placed Hyundai driver during the first practice session with the eighth fastest time, before finishing second to Jimmy Clairet in a truncated second session.

Files however has bemoaned the lack of straight-line speed in his Hyundai coming as a result of running 60kg heavier than all other cars with the exception of the Peugeots.

“We’re just missing too much top speed,” Files told TouringCarTimes.

“I’m doing Eau Rouge completely flat now, and I actually can’t go faster without a slipstream. It is what it is and I think today the red flag in FP2 has flattered us.

“People will go quicker tomorrow and if you look at the Clairet brothers, if they get their ideas together then they’re almost a second ahead.”

Despite this, Files – who claimed his first win of the season in the opening race at Hockenheim last time out, is not discounting his chances of a strong result in Belgium, but feels a repeat of his qualifying performance in Germany is required again.

“It’s a challenge for us, we’re not under any allusions to how difficult it will be but who knows? Anything is possible.”

“We have to take what we’ve got and we have just go to do the best we can. A bit like Hockenheim where we nailed a lap and the team nailed the car and I couldn’t go any faster. I’m going to have to do the same tomorrow, because that’s our only chance.”