Norbert knows how with Goodyear FIA ETRC Zolder Race 1 win
Norbert Kiss made his pole position for Race 1 at Circuit Zolder count with a benchmark victory in the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship.
The Révész Racing driver’s first-place finish, his 13th of 2026, came after a typically commanding performance from the seven-time European champion.
Antonio Albacete held off Jochen Hahn for second with the pair 1.179s apart after 12 laps of the Belgian Truck Grand Prix venue.
“Good race, good start and we stayed in front on the first lap,” said MAN-powered Kiss. “I had a bit of a gap and then I had to watch out not to make a mistake or over-speed, which is easy here in Zolder with the bridges that can make you go a bit fast with the GPS signal. I had to take care of that a little but a good performance, the tyres were holding up very well. Another good job from Révész Raing again, very nice by the team.”
After finishing second to make up for his gearbox woes in Race 4 at Autodrom Most last month, Albacete said: “I put my own pressure because I know we was like this all the time, [panting] like a dog. We had to go the whole race pushing and pushing but it was a good race and a good result, we are happy. At the start [there was a moment when I was just alongside Norbi] but then you don’t have the inside line for the next corner and if you keep it like that, he cannot disappear, and I will go to the gravel trap. After what we have in Most with the problem with the gearbox and the accidents it’s a good comeback.”
IVECO-powered Hahn added: “It was not really pressure because he made no mistake, only one, but I was too far back. He was second in the practice, and we make many years racing together. Respect, congratulations to Antonio, a little bit congrats to Norbi because it’s every time the same! But I’m happy, the truck was not perfect but it’s the package and it’s also the driver that maybe must change the style to handle it and then we can fight for the win.”
Behind Hahn, José Eduardo Rodrigues maintained his bid for the Young Driver title in fourth overall as John Newell scored his second Chrome win of the season by heading home category rival Mark Taylor for fifth after they changed places on lap two.
Newell said: “It was a good race, I had a poor start, Sascha and Steffi had a bit of a tangle, Mark got a better start than me, I dropped in behind him, found a couple of points where he was slower than me, got on the back of him, then took him into the tight right-hander by coming up on the inside and I pulled a gap, it was comfortable. It’s done me proud and I’m happy.”
Sascha Lenz fought back from running through the gravel exiting the first corner to take seventh. He was followed home by René Reinert, whose capture of eighth place from 12th secured pole for Race 2, which will use a partially-reversed grid when it gets under way at 16:20 local time today live on YouTube.
Steffi Halm, who also ran through the gravel on the run to the second corner, Sterrenwacht, almost tangled with Lenz as her fellow German fought to regain control but was able to continue without notable damage to finish ninth.
Jonathan André completed the Chrome podium with Luke Garrett one place behind after his MAN was restored to full working order following a brake issue in this morning’s qualifying.
Luis Reuenco and Stefan Kursch took the chequered flag in 12th and 13th respectively, but Clemens Hecker and Steffen Faas were less fortunate as they retired with mechanical issues.
“I saw the water going up and saw the water was on the right-side tyre,” Faas explained. “I finished the race because I don’t want to break the engine.”
Race 2, which is scheduled for 12 laps, is due to get under way at 16:20 local time live on YouTube. Click HERE for live timing. Results are available via Sportity using the password: FIA_ETRC_26.
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