Zengő Motorsport will run a pair of Honda Civic WTCC cars for young Hungarians Ferenc Ficza and Dániel Nagy in the 2016 World Touring Car Championship.
The Hungarian outfit have been looking for new talent following the departure of their long-time driver Norbert Michelisz to the factory Honda squad.
The team have consequently decided to field both Ficza and Nagy in the 2016 season, as the team expand to run two cars full-time.
Both Ficza, 19, and Nagy, 17, have previously competed in the TCR International Series for the team, with Ficza scoring points in the first-ever TCR race in Malaysia in 2015.
Ficza also competed in the first two meetings of the 2015 European Touring Car Cup with the team, racing a SEAT León Cup Racer.
Despite receiving offers from drivers outside Hungary, Team Heads Zoltan Zengő and Juni Gyuri have remained loyal to their ethos of promoting young Hungarian talent.
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, admits to being pleased that the team have found a brace of talented young drivers for the forthcoming season.
“It’s hats off to Zengő Motorsport for backing Hungarian drivers just like they did with Norbi [Michelisz],” said Ribeiro. “I even proposed different options to them but in the end they’re a Hungarian team and they wanted to keep going with young Hungarian drivers.
“This is great news for motorsport in that country but also for the WTCC because Zengő will put two young talents on the grid, while creating a great story-telling opportunity: it’s not every day that two teenagers drive for the same team in an FIA world championship.
“Zengő is now racing against the clock with JAS and Honda to get its second car ready for Paul Ricard this weekend.”
Former driver Michelisz praised the team for its continued commitment to young Hungarian talent.
“There are drivers coming on a super-high level in Hungary and I hope I have two or three years left because the next generation is growing up really fast in Hungary,” joked Michelisz. “I have big confidence in these drivers, but also in Zengő Motorsport as well. They’re a great team and give a big support to Hungarian talents. Without them I would not be in the positon I am now.”
The first round of the championship takes place at Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend and the team face a race against time to ready the second car for the event.