Rob Huff drove a calculated race in the second TCR International Series race at Spa-Francorchamps, avoiding trouble and helping Leopard Racing team-mate Jean-Karl Vernay to triumph.
Huff had led the race after lap two after a close battle with early leader Edouard Mondron and Benjamin Lessennes.
Having settled into second for a period, Mondron remained close to Huff and looked to pass on lap four, with the two making contact which caused minor damage to Huff’s Volkswagen.
A lap later, the sister Volkswagen of Vernay passed both Mondron and Huff around the outside at Turn 5 to take the lead, leaving Huff to settle into second and protect his team-mate’s lead.
Huff’s podium in his first meeting with the team was also his second overall in TCR, having won on his début at Macau in 2015.
The Brit also explained that he took action early on in the race to avoid being taken out by Tom Coronel, who went on to contact the leading cars of Pepe Oriola and Maxime Potty, removing all three from the lead battle before it really began.
“At the start, I realized looking at the mirrors that Coronel was braking too late and I tried to leave room and avoid trouble,” said Huff. “I could pass Edouard Mondron to take the lead but then I got under attack from Lessennes. He hit me on a wheel at Les Combes and he went off track, but after that my steering was a little bit bent.
“When I saw Jean-Karl coming back on Mondron and me, I braked a little bit earlier to let him more room and take the lead, and the rest is history.
“It’s a very good weekend for the team and I am really happy to be able to contribute its success.”