Mat’o Homola admitted after the end of the first race at Jarama that he was delighted to keep new championship leader Mehdi Bennani behind him.
Homola had lined up alongside the Moroccan driver on row two of the grid and would hold him off throughout the whole 17 lap race, much to the delight of the Slovakian.
“It was really important for me to have a good start because on the previous events this was a weak point,” said the Hyundai driver.
“I didn’t want to lose positions; I wanted to keep the pace and not be overtaken by Bennani because he was really fast at the beginning.
“Then I was close to Teddy especially after the second safety car phase, and I was pushing and pushing because I didn’t want to stay in third position, but he was a little bit faster than me.”
The BRC Racing Team man also went on to praise his team after the result in mixed conditions in Spain.
“I’m really happy with this result and the podium,” commented Homola.
“The car was great, our tyre choice was good, and I was the fastest of the Hyundai drivers that is the most important for me.”