THX Racing’s Stefano Comini says he is really happy with the switch he made from Subaru to Honda machinery for the Spa-Francorchamps round of TCR Europe.
The double TCR International Series champion competed in a Subaru WRX STI TCR at the Paul Ricard season opener, and then elected to miss the last round at Zandvoort to ensure he had an entry in place for Spa.
He was running fifth in race one after leapfrogging Josh Files at the start, but the pair made contact at La Source, ending both their races.
Despite this, Comini told TouringCars.Net that he is very glad he switched to Honda and is pleased with the progress so far.
“The feeling is good,” said Comini. “We need to improve everything. I need to find the feeling in the car better. It’s really a big change for me – three years of VAG group and now I’m with Honda, it’s really sensitive on the setup change and the feeling is really good. We need to improve but I think it’s not too bad.
“The BoP here in Spa is a little bit against us, but it’s Motorsport, it’s BoP this is normal. I try to do my best.”
In the race Comini made a good start, but could not keep pace with the top four and was under huge pressure from Files, which eventually resulted in contact as Stian Paulsen, Files and Comini went three wide into La Source.
“If we want to talk about the race I had a really good start, the Honda is amazing at the start, and I overtook five cars in Eau Rouge and after it was really hard to keep up the pace with the others.
“So I decided to keep it simple and not make mistakes, I was looking behind and I was quite comfortable because Files was overdriving, and was going out of the track limits. I was managing the tyres because since the second lap I had a little bit of understeer which wasn’t helping my race pace.
“I can’t explain the contact because I was so relaxed that Files was out on the Bus Stop and he gave me the place back, and when you are doing this you lose time. I braked later [into La Source], I didn’t defend because it made no sense to defend because I was looking behind.
“If you are looking at Stian and Josh they were overdriving and I don’t know what they wanted to do. It’s really a risk if you overtake a car in La Source then afterwards you lose the place in Eau Rouge, it’s so stupid.”
For today’s reverse-grid race, the Swiss racer will start third on the grid, and he is hoping for better fortunes although he admits victory may not be possible.
“I hope [race two] will be better, victory is not realistic but I will do my best, and I will try to give the fans some fun.
“We are doing a great job, we are really working hard to do our best. Everybody in the team is working very hard, to give me a perfect car and I really want to thank them because I’m enjoying this.
“I’m enjoying this work style, they have passion they are professional, we have everything to do a good job.”