New Phillip Island lap record highlights D'Alberto's sensational recovery drive

New Phillip Island lap record highlights D'Alberto's sensational recovery drive

Tony D'Alberto was forced to fight back through the pack in another up-and-down weekend of TCR Australia racing at Phillip Island on the weekend.

The Honda Civic Type R TCR driver was the fastest in practice and proved far too good for his rivals in qualifying, outpacing the field by nearly half a second in another blistering performance.

His lap time was the fastest-ever TCR lap recorded around the famous Island venue.

D’Alberto’s weekend was thrown on its head at the fourth corner of the first race when he was tagged awkwardly by Honda stablemate Brad Harris and Hyundai driver Josh Bucan.

The incident sent Tony’s Honda FL5 off the track and into last place.

With the bit between his teeth, D'Alberto started a sensational recovery drive in the final two races on Sunday, finishing eighth in Race 2 and a fine fourth in Race 3.

D'Alberto says that the speed of his Honda is on point – he just needs a little luck to bring home more trophies.