Josh Files says he is only going to get faster as the TCR Europe season progresses, after the KCMG Honda driver scored his first win of the year in race two at Zandvoort.
Files came through from fourth on the grid to take victory in an exciting race, making all of his moves on the opening lap to make rapid progress to the front.
The victory for the two-time TCR Germany champion takes Files to 16 points away from the series lead, and the Brit believes that he and the team are only going to get quicker as the season continues with the new Honda Civic Type-R.
“I’m really happy, that was a mega result, not just for me but for the team as well,” said Files to TouringCars.Net. “We worked to make a better set-up with the car and we had a very consistent race car.
“I still nearly matched the fastest lap at the end of the race, so we’ve got consistency and we just need to find a little bit of extra qualifying performance, but I’m sure we’ll find that.
“We’re only getting faster, so I look forward to Spa.”
Files admits that when he saw Jaap van Lagen, who had claimed pole position on Saturday, in his rear-view mirrors he expected more of a challenge from the Audi driver, who ultimately finished over four seconds back in second.
“I have to say I did see Jaap come through and I thought ‘here we go, the Audi is coming’ and he never did, so I was really pleasantly surprised.
“I’m also very happy, because we’ve got a great race pace and we just need to find that ultimate one-lap pace now, but we’ll get there.”
Files is expecting the fast Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which is next on the calendar in three weeks’ time, to also suit the new Honda.
“I thought here would suit the new car probably a little bit better than has, but Spa should be quite good for us.
“I think the Audi will be very strong at Spa like we saw last year in TCR International, but it’s a long game and anything can happen.”