Hell Energy Racing Team with KCMG’s Josh Files says that the contact with Stefano Comini in race one of TCR Europe at Spa-Francorchamps was a ‘racing incident.’
Files cut the final bus stop chicane after outbraking himself in an attempt to pass Comini, and the ensuing events resulted in contact at La Source which put both Hondas out of the race.
Speaking to TouringCars.Net, Files said: “I made a mistake at the Bus Stop but I hold my hands up to that. I came back on and rejoined, I let Stefano back through because that’s the right thing to do.
“Stian [Paulsen] obviously saw a little opportunity and tried to come down the inside, and braked – truthfully – way too late.
“But I saw that so I braked also quite late but Stian was streamrolling down, and unfortunately because of the speed that we were both arriving at and Stefano was on the normal racing line, he turned in – I couldn’t turn right because I had a CUPRA there.”
Two-time TCR International Series champion Comini told TouringCars.Net that he didn’t understand the move from Files and Paulsen and believes they were ‘overdriving.’
“If you look at Stian and Josh, they were overdriving. I really don’t know what they were wanting to do, because if you overtake a car in La Source, afterwards they will lose it in Eau Rouge, it’s so stupid.
“Clearly, no sense in that. But I want to have a look at it and to be clear. But honestly I think they were a little bit too much and I don’t know why they wanted to brake on the inside and not on the ideal line.”