Attila Tassi expects Hell Energy with KCMG team mate Josh Files and himself to adopt a sensible approach to the first TCR Europe race in Barcelona.
A front row lockout for the Honda Civic Type R pairing enabled them to draw level with Target Competition in the Teams’ standings ahead of the season-concluding double header in Spain.
Tassi’s late effort proved enough to over-turn Files, with a 1:53.861 around the 2.8 mile Catalan venue enough for pole.
“It’s fantastic to be on pole position,” said Tassi to TouringCars.net.
“From the beginning of the weekend we’ve had a good feeling with the car, a good balance and we tried to improve each time we went out. Yesterday we did a qualifying simulation which also went well, because I finished top of FP2. I tried to do the same or even better in my driving today in qualifying.”
However, the Hungarian admitted it hadn’t all been plain sailing, with his rear brakes locking despite the balance being applied to the front.
“There were some strange things, my rear wheels were locking really hard and all my brake balance was on the front, so I didn’t understand why that was happening. But I tried to manage it and finally on the last lap it worked out.”
Having taken a decision alongside Files at the Hungaroring earlier in 2018 to focus on prioritising success for KCMG rather than individual honours, Tassi expects a sensible approach from the pairing in the opening race at 17:30 CEST.
He can, however, envisage the two battling if they can break away and establish a gap to the rest behind.
“From Hungary onwards we [Tassi and Josh Files] decided mainly to focus on the Teams Championship and the aim is the same today as well. We’ll see how the start goes; I don’t think we will fight so hard – maybe if we have clean air or something but we will see. We haven’t talked about it yet.”