Viktor Andersson made a strong start in the second race of the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps to move up two spots into La Source, before a daring pass at Les Combes secured the MA:GP Lynk & Co driver his career-best result in TCR with second place, after the team turned the car around after a languishing run to 12^th yesterday.

The Swedish racer was challenging Ignacio Montenegro’s ALM Motorsport Honda for second place into Turn 1 after a strong launch off the line but had to settle into third on the run down into Eau Rouge.

When Montenegro then passed his own team-mate Levente Losonczy for the lead on lap two, this allowed Andersson to line-up a move a lap later at the end of the Kemmel straight and into Les Combes around the outside. The two made light contact, forcing Andersson wide into the corner, where he moved up to second position and from there he was able to control his pace to score his best result to-date.

“Now to get a podium it feels really nice, and of course we also had exciting weather in the race too,” said Andersson.

“I had a good start, and did a good move on Levente at Les Combes, it was a bit on the limit maybe as he squeezed me a bit, but I managed to get through and then Ignacio and I were about even so I just kept it going to the finish.

“I thought we had a chance to get him, but after the safety car he just had a bit more left. Then the rain came on the final lap, so I was very careful and played it safe as there was only half a lap to go. It’s been very good to get this result.”

Andersson had a tough run in Race 1 struggling for performance from sixth on the grid, dropping to 12^th and last on the road. The team opted to change the turbo on the car which then resolved the 03 TCR’s performance deficit dramatically.

“We had a small issue, it wasn’t clear as it wasn’t big damage, but we changed the turbo and now the car felt a lot stronger on the straights.”