During September, Levente Losonczy’s season continued with a busy program: the Aggressive Team Italia driver drove on his home track in the WHB Győr Rally Showtime, and then competed twice in the temple of speed, in Monza, in the TCR Italy and TCR Europe.
A memorable month continued for Levente Losonczy this season, as he made his debut in front of more than 20,000 spectators in his hometown, at the WHB Győr Rally, and then twice at the home of the F1 Italian Grand Prix, the world famous Monza circuit, in the TCR Italy and TCR Europe.
In Győr, he drove around the city stage twice, the first time with Deputy Mayor Ákos Radnóti, the second time with the well-known singer-actor Lola. The Hungarian Motorsport Academy member also met Zoltán Szujó, President of the Hungarian National Motorsport Association.
Shortly after Levente’s car arrived in Győr, it was transported back to Italy, as the young driver was competing in the TCR Italy from 15-17 September 2023, and then a week later in the TCR Europe at the legendary Monza circuit. Moreover, from the round of the Italian championship onwards, he will be assisted by a new mentor in former F1 driver Gianni Morbidelli.
In the first round of the TCR Italy Levente was unable to finish the race due to a sensor failure, then in the second race he was hit from behind and had to drive the last 6 laps with the left-hand drive, finishing in the 16th place. However, the changeable weather and the kilometres driven proved to be a useful experience.
A week later, he finished 6th in the second free practice session in TCR Europe and was also in the top 5 in the wet qualifying session when, driving temporarily in 2nd place, he slipped in the Ascari corner and hit the barrier. The accident meant he was unable to continue the qualifying and had to start both races from last position.
In the first race on Sunday, Levente raced tactically, overtaking several of his rivals immediately after the start and avoiding the accidents of others to finish in the 10th place. In the second race, a similar scenario prevailed, he overtook several of his rivals at the start of the race and then again finished 10th after completing his last lap with a damaged car.
’I got a much better start in the second race compared to the first, I tried to be careful because I knew I would have 10 laps to have a good race. At the beginning of the race the field stayed together, I got out of a few race situations well, but from the halfway point we fell back from the Audis ahead of us and kept going in a group of 5-6 cars following the frontrunners. The Audis were very fast on the straight, I caught them in Parabolica and then I slipped back again, even after their mistakes they managed to pull away.’
’At the end there was a traffic in front of me and I hit the kerb, then the splitter was damaged, it got under the car, suddenly there was a big vibration and I had to slow down because of the big smoke, because I suspected a puncture at first. I had a big lead and was able to bring the car in to 10th place.’
’Overall, our pace was very good, if I had started in front, we would have had a chance of one of the top 5 places. The car was superb, the guys’ work was rewarded with consistent good positions. Everyone is happy with the performance and everything looks good for the future! Thanks a lot to Aggressive Team Italia, Gianni Morbidelli and Fit4Race, our partners Hungarian Motorsport Academy and my father for their support!’
Levente Losonczy’s 2023 racing program includes three more weekends: the season finale of the TCR Europe in Barcelona from 20-22 October, the TCR Italy round in Vallelunga from 13-15 October, and the final round of the TCR Italy in Imola from 27-29 October, where Levente finished 3rd in the season opener.
Levente Losonczy, TCR Italy Monza results
Free practice 1: P15
Free practice 2 : P14
Qualifying: P15
Race 1: P35 (out)
Race 2: P16
Standings: P13
Levente Losonczy, TCR Europe Monza results
Free practice 1: P13
Free practice 2: P6
Qualifying: P14
Race 1: P10
Race 2: P10
Standings: P13
