Spa Weekend Begins with Major Setback
The latest round of the TCR Europe Touring Car Series took place at Circuit de Spa Francorchamps.
The weekend started with disappointment for championship leader Alex Ley. The driver suffered a high speed crash at Raidillon during qualifying.
BRC Racing Team attempted to repair the damaged car. However, the team later withdrew the entry.
The absence of Ley created a major opportunity in the championship battle.
Felipe Fernández Secures Maiden Victory
Felipe Fernández dominated the opening race from pole position.
The Spaniard controlled the race from the first corner and never lost the lead. He secured his first victory in TCR Europe.
Behind him, Viktor Andersson made an excellent start in his Monlau Motorsport CUPRA.
Andersson overtook Mike Halder during the opening lap and defended strongly throughout the race.
Ruben Volt also gained several positions at the start. His aggressive launch later came under investigation.
The race became more difficult after oil from Gabriele Covini created dangerous conditions at Eau Rouge.
Light rain further reduced grip levels around the circuit. Volt struggled afterwards and lost several positions late in the race.
On the final lap, Marco Butti overtook Halder for third position at Les Combes.
The result secured a double podium finish for Monlau Motorsport. Halder finished fourth but inherited the championship lead.
Fernández crossed the finish line almost one second clear of Andersson to claim a long awaited breakthrough victory.
Rain Chaos Creates Stunning Second Race
Race two delivered dramatic wet weather action at Spa Francorchamps.
Most leading drivers selected slick tyres despite light rain before the start. Others gambled on mixed tyre strategies.
Gabriele Covini started from pole position but struggled away from the line.
Nicola Baldan immediately took the lead while Junesung Park climbed into second.
Park later passed Baldan at Les Combes and briefly controlled the race.
The action soon stopped after a multi car accident at Bruxelles involving Victor Fernández and several CUPRA drivers.
Officials suspended the race behind the Safety Car while damaged cars were recovered.
Ruben Volt Masters Wet Conditions
As rain intensified, several teams switched to full wet tyres. Among them were both ALM Motorsport Hondas.
Volt quickly emerged as the fastest driver on track. The Estonian sliced through the field with impressive pace.
Meanwhile, Tiago Pernía also charged forward using a mixed tyre strategy.
With three laps remaining, Volt overtook Park for third position before passing Pernía and Nicolas Taylor.
Taylor struggled badly on slick tyres during the closing laps and slipped down the order.
Volt secured his seventh TCR Europe victory after a remarkable recovery drive in changing conditions.
Pernía finished second and celebrated his first podium finish in the championship. Taylor completed the podium in third.
Championship Battle Tightens
The final corners also produced a crucial championship moment.
Mike Halder and Max Hart passed Junesung Park in a drag race to the finish line.
Those extra points allowed Halder to extend his championship lead over Taylor.
The Spa weekend delivered everything expected from TCR Europe. Fans witnessed changing weather, dramatic battles, and emotional first victories.
Photos: ©Niklas Husmann