BRC Racing Team on a mission for podiums at Race of Hungary
BRC Racing Team has its sights set on the podium positions as it heads to Race of Hungary, the fourth round of the 2021 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup season.
BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Squadra Corse travels to the Hungaroring aiming to continue the momentum gained from its first race win of the year. At round three of the championship, Race of Spain, Gabriele Tarquini achieved BRC Racing Team’s first victory of the season. After qualifying on pole position, the Italian fought off pressure from behind to take the lead and return the team to winning ways.
Tarquini and his teammate Norbert Michelisz will fight hard to repeat the form of the previous round in the Hyundai Elantra N TCR. So far in 2021, the team has increased its points haul at each round of the championship, a trend it will be hoping to repeat in Hungary. Although it currently sits sixth in the standings, BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Squadra Corse is on an upwards trajectory and is aiming to move up the table as the championship progresses.
Race of Hungary presents a demanding yet exciting prospect for its competitors. A technical 4.381km circuit based in the village of Mogyoród, the venue is a staple on the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup calendar. It will be an special weekend for Michelisz, as he strives to secure his first win of 2021 at his home event.
Race of Hungary’s itinerary begins with two free practice sessions on Saturday 21 August, followed by qualifying on the same day. Sunday 22 August then features a 12-lap Race 1 and a 15-lap Race 2.
Team Principal of BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Squadra Corse Gabriele Rizzo said: “Having secured our first victory of the season at Race of Spain, our mission in Hungary is to continue this forward momentum. The Hungaroring has been a good hunting ground for our team in the past, and our drivers are experts in the nuances of this circuit. It is crucial for our championship battle that we are fighting at the front of the pack and finishing on the podium. We want to continue to increase our points haul at the remaining rounds of the season; the Hyundai Elantra N TCR is capable of winning, and as a team we need to focus on putting together a strong weekend.”
Norbert Michelisz said: “The Hungaroring is one of the most technical circuits on the WTCR calendar. The first and the last sector are all about confidence under braking and managing the understeer in the slower corners, while the middle sector is about changing direction and being patient. This sounds easy, but is very difficult. The aim for Race of Hungary is of course to win, and to score a lot of points, since I need to catch up in the standings. I am also looking forward to once again race in front of a home crowd.”
Gabriele Tarquini said: “I have a lot of good memories from previous races at the Hungaroring. We had good results there in 2018 and 2019, fighting with Norbi at his home race. The sequences of fast and slow corners is one of the main challenges of this circuit, which makes it very demanding, especially if it is as hot as it has been in the past. The target for the race weekend will be to battle for the podium with my teammate.”