Jessica Bäckman says her maiden podium in the TCR Europe series at Hockenheim was unexpected, but paid tribute to team-mate Josh Files for his help prior to the start.
Starting second, Bäckman dropped back one position behind Aurelien Comte’s Peugeot 308 at the Turn 6 hairpin on the second lap, but defended well thereafter to take her first silverware in the category.
Speaking to TouringCars.net post-race, the Swede explained that 2019 had been marked as a ‘learning year’, making the podium result all the more satisfying.
“I never thought I would have a podium this year,” said Bäckman.
“I thought this year would be a learning year and then maybe next year I can get [on] the podium, but I never thought I would get it, no.”
She also paid tribute to Target Competition team-mate and points leader Josh Files for his motivational help prior to the race start.
“I must say that my teammate Josh Files gave me a lot of confidence before the race. I was a little bit nervous, but he had the right words to make me confident.
“I am very happy with the result. For once, I had a good start and then the car was going very well, especially on the straights.
“There was a lot of fighting around and behind me, but when I realized that my brother was following me, I felt better, I knew he would not do anything crazy.”
Looking ahead to the next event, scheduled to take place at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, over the weekend of 8th-9th June, Bäckman is aiming to carry her form forward in pursuit of a repeat success.
“It was the first track I drove a TCR car on and it was wet! So I don’t know the Spa track very well but I will try to prepare myself as well as possible and try to take the speed with me to that race also.”