BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse wants to finish the European TCR World Tour leg on a high note
BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse travel to Hungary, the final European destination of the 2023 Kumho TCR World Tour, this weekend (June 16-18) for the fourth round of the season.
The team move on to Hungary with high spirits following the successful weekend at their home round in Italy, where Norbert Michelisz and Mikel Azcona secured a superb front-row lock-out in Qualifying with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR. The team-mates were able to make a good start to Race 1 and convert their strong starting position into a second 1-2 finish of the season. Both were able to score a sizeable number of points for the standings in Race 2 with a fourth and fifth-place finish for Michelisz and Azcona respectively.
The Hungaroring, situated close to the nation’s capital Budapest, has become a fan favourite for touring car racing. The 4.381km technical track boasts a combination of tight turns, high-speed corners, and multiple straights - testing both driver skill and car performance.
Last year, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse had a triumphant weekend at the circuit. Azcona clinched his first pole position of the season and would go on to achieve a lights-to-flag victory in Race 1.
Hungary will be a special event for local hero and current drivers’ standings leader, Norbert Michelisz. The Hungarian has amassed five podiums at his home race, most recently at WTCR Race of Hungary in 2019. He will be looking to continue his podium visits this season.
The Kumho TCR World Tour will again join the TCR Europe grid for what will be the final European round before the global series, that then travels on to South America in August. The itinerary begins with two free practice sessions on Friday June 16th. On Saturday June 17th there will be a 35-minute qualifying session and Race 1, with a partially reversed grid Race 2, rounding out the event on Sunday June 18th.
Team Principal of BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse Gabriele Rizzo said: “Coming into Hungary we want to replicate the same success that we had here in the past. We showed at Vallelunga that we have the ability to fight for podiums and pole positions with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR. The great qualifying results had in Italy mean we will carry maximum compensation weight on both cars. This will make our job tougher, but our motivation is high, and we are on a mission to bring home solid points from the races to ensure we head into the break in the best position possible before the next races.”
Norbert Michelisz said: “I’m really looking forward to race at the Hungaroring again, for the last 12 years I have been lucky enough to have a home race. It is always exciting and a bit different compared to other circuits because there is slightly more pressure for me, but it’s an event I enjoy a lot. I’m confident that with a good lap we can finish inside the top ten in qualifying; with the format we have in TCR World Tour, that is part of our target to score a lot of points for the standings.”
Mikel Azcona said: “I have driven at Hungaroring since 2018, so it’s a place with some good memories for me. It’s a challenging track, especially through the last sector with the long low speed corners, which I think the Hyundai Elantra N TCR is very strong in. I believe we can be competitive in Hungary and minimise the damage on the points despite carrying maximum compensation weight, especially as this is our last race in Europe and before a short break ahead of the South American races.”