Zsolt Szabo delighted with top ten on TCR Europe series debut

Zsolt Szabo went from 21st to eighth in his first career race in the TCR Europe Touring Car Series, putting on a strong run in the M1RA Hyundai i30 N TCR, despite having no experience of the car, the team, or the circuit.

Drafted in just one day ahead of the race weekend after Dániel Nagy’s surprise departure, Szabo qualified a lowly 21st after showing good pace in practice.

In an eventful race, Szabo stayed out of trouble, following the rival BRC Racing Team-run i30 N TCR of Luca Filippi across the finish line to finish eighth on his series debut, despite nine months away from the track, last racing in the WTCR season finale at Macau last year.

“It’s the first time I’ve driven the car, the first time I’ve been here in Oschersleben, and also with a new team – so everything’s completely new,” said Szabo to TouringCarTimes.

“In qualifying we were unlucky with traffic, so we knew we had better pace. I had a good start, in what’s only my second start in this car, and in the first few corners I got up to a really good position and we also had great pace, so everything went to plan.”

Szabo’s deal is just for this weekend at present, but the 23-year-old hopes to be able to complete the season for the team.

“My aim this weekend is just to learn as much as possible, and hopefully I can get the chance to drive the car at the remaining rounds at Barcelona and Monza.”