RC2 Racing Team’s Santiago Concepción has picked up his best result in the TCR Europe series after finishing third in Race 1 at Spa-Francorchamps, and also led a race for the first time in his Honda Civic Type R, though was left to think a bit about what could have been, after losing two positions later in the race.

Concepción took the lead from team-mate Felipe Fernández at the start, but soon came under attack from both the Solite Indigo Racing Hyundai of Junesung Park, and a charging Honda of Marco Butti at Les Combes. Concepción was able to hold off the attack at the fast corner, but was vulnerable at the ‘bus stop’ chicane and fell behind Butti.

The young Spaniard looked set for a second place finish right up until the end of the race, when he made a mistake through Blancimont and was attacked by Park, who claimed second place with a dive at the chicane, but that still left Concepción with the final podium position, and his best result in only his second year of TCR competition.

“I had a very good start and left enough space for Felipe, unfortunately he didn’t come with me for the rest of the race,” said Concepción. “Then after that at the front, it was a very boring race from my side. At the first corner, when I saw Marco in my mirror, I was very surprised. He tried a few times to pass me, and then eventually he got past me on the inside.”