Stefano Comini says race one of TCR Europe was “more of a war than a race” because of the amount of contact in drying conditions at the Hungaroring.
The two-time TCR International Series champion progressed from 21st on the grid after gearbox troubles in qualifying to finish eighth.
He told TouringCars.Net that it was a “crazy race,” but he was pleased with the pace of his Honda Civic Type R FK7.
“The race was crazy, totally crazy,” said Comini. “I’m happy with the result. On the last lap the contact penalised me again – like in Spa. I’m used to this bad luck this year!
“But if I look at the race from outside I think it was a fun race, it was more of a war than a race. It’s Motorsport – it’s touring cars, I love these conditions. The car was impressive in the first part of the race, and all the race it was amazing.
“I had a lot of contact and everybody touched everybody and it was crazy.”
On the final lap, Comini was looking for sixth position on the outside into turn one, but was hit by a sideways Reece Barr who had contact with Mikel Azcona.
“They broke before me and I went to the outside,” said Comini. “And I think Azcona didn’t see me but I didn’t really see what happened. But I asked the team if I can risk, and they said OK so I took a risk.
“It was unlucky, but from 22nd to eighth it was good.”
Despite losing out on seventh to Jean-Karl Vernay as a result of the contact, the Swiss is pleased with the pace of the car and is hoping for similar results tomorrow.
“We showed that the car was very fast, and I’m a little bit disappointed because of the qualifying. I had only one lap because of the gearbox problem and I’m quite sure we could have done very well.
“But it’s in the past and I’m focused for tomorrow’s race, I think it will be in dry conditions but I will try to do the same.”
Race two of the weekend gets underway tomorrow at 11:50 CEST (10:50 BST).