M1RA will run just one Hyundai i30 in the Assen round of the TCR Europe series, after Hungaroring race winner Francisco Mora was unable to make it to the Dutch races.
Mora won race two at the Hungaroring last time out, lifting the Portuguese driver to joint eighth in the drivers’ championship standings.
But Mora is noticeably absent in the paddock at the TT Circuit Assen in The Netherlands, even though the team have brought his car to the event.
“In Assen, we only drive with one car, driven by Dáni Nagy,” said Team Principal Dávid Bári, who did not give a clear reason for Mora’s absence. “At the last minute, Francisco did not know how to be with us in Assen.
“Because of the short time, it was no longer possible to hire a stand-in driver. I am sorry to have been able to compete more freely after winning the Hungaroring.
“Regardless of this, we were just as prepared for the weekend. The trajectory of the track looks to suit the i30 N at a glance, but there are mixed feelings in me because we have no previous experience from Assen, so we look at the expectations in the dark.
“Without a teammate, for Dán it will also be more difficult to do, but he has been using the simulator at the weekend and has talked with his engineers several times about the expected critical points of the track, the weekend’s build-up, the expected strategy.
“We love the challenges, so despite the difficulties we want to stand on top of the podium this time.”
Hungarian racer Márk Jedlóczky will also miss the Dutch racing weekend after confirming on Thursday that he would not be present. The 19-year-old also missed the Belgian event in June.