Stefano Comini was full of praise for his rival Roberto Colciago in the opening TCR International Series race in Malaysia, despite coming up as second best to the veteran Italian.
Comini pressured Colciago for the win all the way, with the duo swapping places briefly around a third into the race.
Despite the Swiss stars best efforts, he was unable to find a way past 48-year-old Colciago, despite Comini’s Volkswagen rubbing doors with the Honda at the last corner of the last lap.
“I loved the fight with Roberto – he is an old-style driver inside and out, while I am just an old-style driver inside,” said Comini. “I wanted to create a gap to the guys behind because I wanted to score as many points as possible ahead of the Macau races.
“Roberto left me a big space to pass, but I went wide at the next corner and he overtook me again as I didn’t want to risk making contact with him.”
Comini admits that he has done his research into how his rival drivers, with the reigning champion citing a typically 21st century source.
“I know his driving style from YouTube and I have a lot of respect for him, so I’m really delighted to have had such a good fight with him.
“We converted this race into a good result, which sees me retake the lead in the championship, albeit by only one point.
“I did a good job of managing the car and the tyres despite the 20 kilos of ballast. It’s good for the championship and I hope that tomorrow, I can make an equally quick start to today’s and defend the position.”