Monlau Motorsport’s Franco Girolami has regained the lead of the TCR Europe drivers’ standings after fighting through from fourth to second in the first race at Spa-Francorchamps, in a race where for a moment it looked like he may have been starting from 11^th.

When Girolami’s best laps were deleted in error in qualifying, the Argentinian had provisionally qualified in 11^th position, but a review soon after confirmed the CUPRA driver’s laps were valid and he was restored to fourth on the grid.

He passed title rival Aurélien Comte’s rival CUPRA at Les Combes on the first lap, before diving past the Honda of Felipe Fernández at La Source after the safety car restart on lap four, and powered on to finish in second position behind Ruben Volt’s Honda.

“I am so happy for the team and for this result, and this is big points for the championship,” said Girolami. “The target was to do a good start and a good first lap. We knew it would be difficult to fight the Hondas here, as they’re really fast and they did a good job, so I’m happy with my result.

“I had a slipstream on the first lap through Eau Rouge and was able to overtake Comte. Then after the safety car I did a very good move with Fernández at La Source, we respected each other, and after that I was up to P2.”

Girolami now retakes the lead of the drivers’ standings by six points over Comte, and will start from seventh on the grid for today’s second race.