M Racing’s Nelson Panciatici said he was disappointed to lose out on a podium in race one of TCR Europe at the Red Bull Ring, but was still pleased to bring home strong points after a late brake issue plagued his Hyundai.
The double European Le Mans Series champion qualified third fastest at the rear of a trio of Hyundais, but would spend the majority of his race defending from reigning TCR UK champion Dan Lloyd as a brake issue set in.
After a lengthy safety car period, the brake problem worsened and he was forced to defend into turn four before Lloyd switched back to the inside and completed the move at Würch Curve, demoting the Frenchman to fourth.
“It was a really good qualifying,” Panciatici told TouringCars.Net. “I’m happy to be back in a good position because we had two bad races [at Hockenheim and Spa].
“During the race it was a really nice fight but during the final three laps I had a brake problem, so I had to manage it and brake earlier.
“I lost the position to Dan [Lloyd] because my brakes weren’t very good, so I’m a bit disappointed but it’s still very good points for the championship.”
Panciatici enjoyed a successful start to his maiden TCR Europe campaign with a podium in the season opener at the Hungaroring, but has since struggled in the previous two rounds at Hockenheim and Spa-Francorchamps.
With a return to form this weekend at the Red Bull Ring, Panciatici noted he was happy to be back at the sharp end of the pack.
“Yeah we had a good first race, and then two races after were really hard, so I’m happy to be back in a good position,” he said.
“It definitely makes you enjoy the racing more!”
After switching to touring car racing after a successful sportscar career, Panciatici still feels there is much to adapt to in his Hyundai i30 N, having previously driven powerful, high downforce LMP2 machinery.
“It’s completely different – the driving style, and the way to set up the car – I have to learn everything but I’m quite happy,” explained Panciatici.
“Sometimes I have good pace so I’m happy with that, but I still have to work on my driving. I can’t push too much unlike in the LMP car which had a lot of downforce and you could push more.
“I still have to work on it but we’re going in a good way.”