BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse set to race in the final round of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour in Macau
- BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse heads to Macau for the 2025 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour finale
- Drivers Mikel Azcona, Néstor Girolami and Norbert Michelisz all have Circuito da Guia experience and pedigree
- The Macau street track is a happy hunting ground for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse, a winner on five occasions in this year’s Kumho FIA TCR World Tour.
The curtain comes down on the 2025 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour on the streets of Macau this week (November 13-16) with BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse firmly in contention for race victories.
Having claimed wins in Spain, Italy, Australia and South Korea this season, long-term partner team BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse is aiming to complete 2025 on a high note in Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China.
Mikel Azcona, Néstor Girolami and Norbert Michelisz, who will line up for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse in their Elantra N TCR cars, are seasoned Macau campaigners. Their combined knowledge of the Circuito da Guia, ranked as one of the world’s ultimate street track, will be crucial.
Measuring 6.120 kilometres in length, the Circuito da Guia is an ultra-challenging combination of high-speed turns, tight corners and long straights, plus demanding narrow and undulating wall-lined sections. The Melco Hairpin is so tight – seven metres wide at parts – that overtaking is prohibited.
With zero margin for error and a requirement to compromise on car set-up, success in Macau is extremely satisfying but always difficult to achieve. Changeable weather can also be a factor.
BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse has had ample reason to celebrate in Macau over the years. In 2018, it made international motorsport history when Gabriele Tarquini – who now works for the team in an advisory capacity – secured the inaugural WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup title driving a Hyundai i30 N TCR for the Italian outfit. Five years later, Michelisz clinched the inaugural TCR World Tour title, a feat he emulated as the winner of the renamed Kumho FIA TCR World Tour in 2024.
The results from the Hunan International Circuit in China earlier this month mean Azcona’s Elantra N TCR will carry 20 kilograms of Compensation Weight in Macau, while Girolami and Michelisz will carry 10 kilograms.
Macau’s season showdown will run to the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour’s Format 4, which means two 30-minute free practice sessions, a 30-minute Qualifying Q1 session and a 15-minute Qualifying Q2 featuring the fastest 12 drivers from Q1. The qualifying results decide the grid for Race 1 with the top 10 from Qualifying Q2 lining up for Race 2 in reverse order. Both races are scheduled for 10 laps.
BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse Team Principal Gabriele Rizzo said: “Macau is by far the most iconic circuit for touring car races. Its challenge as street circuit are unique and driver’s confidence in the car is here important as much as pure performance. As the final event of the year, we really want to finish the season on a high and the experience of the team and of our drivers have here will be invaluable for what promises to be a demanding four days. I am expecting, as always here, plenty of action and many memorable moments for fans either watching trackside or live online around the world.”
Driver Notes: #196 Mikel Azcona (ESP), Hyundai Elantra N TCR
- As was the case at the Hunan International Circuit, Azcona will carry 20 kilograms of Compensation Weight in Macau
- Following the trip to China, Azcona is eighth in the standings but still in contention for a top-five finish
- The Spaniard completed the Macau podium in Race 1 last season by finishing third
Azcona said: “Macau is always very special, it’s brilliant to drive there, a circuit I really like. I also have good memories from the last years fighting for the pole, fighting for the victory. To be honest, even with 20 kilos of Compensation Weight fitted to my Hyundai Elantra N TCR, I feel confident for a strong result and feel I will have good pace. My goal is to be on pole and win the first race, that’s the target I have set. I will do everything to finish the year on a high.”
Driver Notes: #129 Néstor Girolami (ARG), Hyundai Elantra N TCR
- Determined to hit back from a frustrating China weekend after a penalty denied him victory in Race 2
- A double race winner in 2025, Girolami heads to Macau aiming for more victories
- With two races remaining, Girolami, from Argentina, occupies ninth place in the Drivers’ standings
Girolami said: “The team has always performed very well in Macau and there should be no reason not to expect good results, even victories, this year. My aim is to win and I will do everything to put together a good lap in qualifying and go for the maximum. Hyundai deserves to finish the season with a great results. This year we won races, we’ve been competitive, we’ve just not had the best of luck in some events. Our Hyundai Elantra N TCR is strong, we just need to put everything together.”
Driver Notes: #105 Norbert Michelisz (HUN), Hyundai Elantra N TCR
- Hungarian driver possesses a prolific Macau record with podiums in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2024 and a race victory in 2023
- Arrives in Macau on the back of finishing third in the first of three races in China
- Having slipped to sixth in the Drivers’ standings, Michelisz will be intent on recapturing fifth position
Michelisz said: “I’m very much looking forward to Macau. Every year it is a place where it feels like it’s the first time you go there. The thrill of driving very close to the walls, having to nail the distance to the walls inch perfect, is something unique and makes it even more exciting for the driver. The last two race weekends have not been fantastic in terms of results like it was in Monza and Australia, so I would like to use Macau to finish the season back at the top because it’s always very important to finish the season strongly. I will do my best to prepare in a perfect way and be as competitive as in previous years.”
Weekend at a Glance
*Track activity begins on Thursday November 13 with the 30-minute Free Practice 1 from 11:05-11:35. Free Practice 2 is next from 14:20-14:50.
*Qualifying Q1 runs from 12:10-12:40 on Friday November 14 followed by Qualifying Q2 from 12:55-13:10 for the fastest 12 drivers from Q1.
*Race 1 is due to begin at 13:20 on Saturday November 15 with Race 2 following at 11:00 on Sunday November 16. Both races are scheduled for 10 laps.
*The qualifying results decide the grid for Race 1 with the top 10 from Qualifying Q2 lining up for Race 2 in reverse order. Both races are scheduled for 10 laps, although there’s an allowance in the timetable for 12 laps in the event of a safety car intervention.