Santiago Concepción took his first career TCR win in a dramatic opening race at Spa-Francorchamps, with both AIKOA Racing Audis making it onto the podium after a series of misfortunes befell the frontrunners.

Alex Ley led the way from pole position for BRC Racing Team, while Jenson Brickley got the jump on Viktor Andersson’s CUPRA into La Source to move into second. Junesung Park’s Hyundai also squeezed ahead of the Swedish racer before they reached Eau Rouge.

Ley was immediately under pressure from Brickley on the way to Les Combes, with the two British rivals giving each other just enough room. Brickley fended off an attack from Park through Pouhon and continued to apply pressure to Ley over the next lap, before Park gathered himself and began to attack Brickley again.

The two went side-by-side through Les Combes on the third lap, which allowed Andersson to sneak up the inside at Bruxelles and steal second. Brickley then lost pace due to an apparent puncture and returned to the pit lane to retire.

The battle allowed Ley to build a healthy lead, while Andersson sat just ahead of Park, with Santiago Concepción having joined the fight in his Audi.

Andersson’s run came to an end on lap five after slowing with a front-right puncture. His pit visit promoted Park and Concepción to the final podium positions.

Just two laps later, Ley was the next to encounter drama, running wide with a front-left issue at Eau Rouge. He was forced to drive around the entire circuit on three wheels before pitting for a new tyre, allowing Park to assume the lead.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be Park’s day either. The South Korean driver’s Hyundai suffered the same fate on the penultimate lap, running wide at Eau Rouge with a front-left delamination. Concepción inherited the lead, with Felipe Fernández and Giacomo Prandelli moving up to second and third, capitalising on the chaos ahead.

Concepción managed his tyres carefully to the finish to secure his first career victory in TCR. Spa specialist Felipe Fernández joined him on the podium, while Concepción’s team-mate Giacomo Prandelli secured his first career podium finish. Sandro Pelatti was one of the few drivers to avoid the drama entirely, crossing the line in fourth.

Ley eventually rescued fifth place with a replacement tyre, finishing ahead of Andersson and Park to score vital points in the TCR Europe Cup standings.

The RTI Trophy, the award for drivers who have not previously won a TCR Europe race or touring car title, was also won by Concepción.

The second race of the weekend is due to get underway at 09:20 CEST tomorrow. Ley’s co-driver, Gabriele Covini, will take the wheel of the #30 Hyundai Elantra from pole position, starting ahead of Argentinian touring car legend Leonel Pernía.

Race 1 result

1 – Santiago Concepción – AIKOA Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS – 10 laps

2 – Felipe Fernández – RC2 Racing Team – Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR - +4.241

3 – Giacomo Prandelli – AIKOA Racing – Audi RS 3 LMS - +6.429

4 – Sandro Pelatti – PMA Motorsport – CUPRA Leon VZ TCR - +20.294

5 – Alex Ley – BRC Racing Team – Hyundai Elantra N TCR - +1:49.270

6 – Viktor Andersson – Monlau Motorsport – CUPRA Leon VZ TCR - +2:10.171

7 – Junesung Park – Solite Indigo Racing – Hyundai Elantra N TCR - +2:22.508

8 – Nicolas Taylor – PMA Motorsport – Audi RS 3 LMS - +2 laps

9 – Tiago Pernía – Squadra Martino – Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR – DNF

10 – Jenson Brickley – RC2 Racing Team – Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR – DNF