Mat’o Homola was delighted to claim his first win in the FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), with the Slovakian driver having taken victory in the reverse grid second race in Vila Real.
Homola started the race from third on the grid, but a strong start saw the DG Sport Compétition driver move into second behind early racer leader Gordon Shedden on the opening lap.
Homola then took the joker lap earlier than YMR’s Yvan Muller, who assumed the lead of the racer, before emerging in front of the Frenchman on the final lap thanks to superior pace in the intervening two laps.
“Yvan was really pushing me,” said Homola. “Then after my joker, I needed to push and Muller was in the lead.
“This is the best feeling. I managed to win in such a strong competition and I have even beaten actual WTCR points leader and multiple world champion Yvan Muller.”
Homola said that with being involved in Saturday’s huge accident on the opening lap it had been a hard weekend, and he also admitted that his pace early in the weekend, having finished 12th in the restarted first race, was not good enough for him.
“This was maybe one of the hardest weekends I have ever experienced,” added Homola, who took his first points of the season with the win.
“Yesterday, after the qualifying I felt like nothing worse can happen. Suddenly I was a little happy with the result, but P12 is not good enough for me, I know, that I can do much better.
“Today was the day. It started with the really good qualifying result – the first time in the Q2 this year and then the win! Fifth place in the last race was a nice bonus. This is a dream.
“I hope, that this will convince the fans to come to Slovakia Ring later on in July.”