Mikel Azcona says he is feeling ‘very strong’ after scoring a podium finish on his début in the FIA World Touring Car Cup in Morocco, with the Spaniard securing third in the final race of the day.
Azcona had earlier made it through to Q3 on his first attempt and, despite ending up fifth on the grid, he was comfortably the fastest CUPRA driver, with none of the other drivers for the marque even making it into Q2.
The reigning TCR Europe champion then kept a cool head in the final race of the day to secure a podium finish in only his third race in WTCR and with PWR Racing.
“It’s amazing; my first race in WTCR and my first podium,” said Azcona. “This thing, one week ago I could not have believed that and now I am here with these drivers. I am super-happy for that.
“Also a few months ago I didn’t have anything closed for this year, so it has all happened very fast. At the last moment we closed everything.
“Finally, now we are in WTCR and for this moment we worked very hard. This is an amazing opportunity for me to be here and I am super-happy for CUPRA Racing and PWR Racing.
“I can’t believe it, my first weekend in WTCR and we are on the podium. It’s amazing. The car was perfect all the weekend and I am super-happy.
The result was even more impressive considering that Azcona was one of the eight drivers to have no prior experience of the Circuit Moulay el Hassan.
“It was my first time in Morocco and at this track, a difficult street track. It’s very difficult with the walls.
“After this weekend I am really strong, I feel really strong. At the next weekends at different tracks I am going to feel much better. We will see at the next race in Hungary what happens.”