Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed its driver line-up for the 2022 FIA World Touring Car Cup, with the marque sensationally signing Mikel Azcona and retaining Norbert Michelisz for the coming season.
The news marks the biggest change to Hyundai’s line-up since it joined WTCR in 2018. With the retirement of stalwart Gabriele Tarquini, a much-coveted seat had become available in the BRC Racing outfit.
Azcona, who has been associated with Spanish marque CUPRA ever since his first touring car race in 2018, has elected to join the South Korean manufacturer for the coming season.
Seen by many as a poster-boy for CUPRA, Azcona won the TCR Europe title at his first attempt in 2018, before graduating to WTCR in 2019, claiming one win in each season.
The 25-year-old continued winning in 2020, including a victory in WTCR, three in TCR Europe in one-off entries late in the season, and also in TCR Italy, where he won the only two races he entered at Imola.
The Spaniard returned to TCR Europe in 2021 and won six times on his way to a second title, whilst he also won once in WTCR, again in TCR Italy, three times in TCR Spain and twice in PURE ETCR.
The news of only two official Hyundai drivers in the 2022 WTCR also confirms that, after the switch of machinery for Team Engstler away from Hyundai, there will only be one team fielding Hyundai-backed drivers this year.
Norbert Michelisz will continue with Hyundai for a fifth consecutive season. The 2019 champion bounced back from a disappointing 2020 season to finish eighth overall in 2021, claiming one win at Most.
Hyundai Motorsport had already experienced significant change during the off-season, when Team Principal Andrea Adamo left due to personal reasons in December following six years with the brand.
Azcona and Michelisz will take part in testing in the coming weeks, giving Azcona his first taste of the Elantra N TCR car at circuits which the series will visit this year.
“Success in WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup competition has always been a major aim of our Customer Racing department and our TCR project. 2022 is no different,” said Hyundai Motorsport Deputy Team Director Julien Moncet.
“Replacing Gabriele Tarquini, and his wealth of experience, was a tough task, but with Mikel Azcona I believe we have the right driver.
“He’s become one of the stars of TCR racing, and as a Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Driver he can take the next step in his career.
“We know the strength of the team, the capabilities of Norbert Michelisz, and performance of the car but after four years we all know how competitive WTCR can be, so we never take anything for granted.
“Because of this there is an extensive testing program planned before the first round, to make sure that both drivers can take advantage of every opportunity during the season.”
Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Andrew Johns is confident that the manufacturer has the eight combination of experience, with Michelisz having now close to 300 touring car starts over 14 years, and youth for 2022.
“The Hyundai Motorsport customer team for this year’s WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup is incredibly strong,” added Johns.
“We have the experience of both the BRC Racing Team squad and Norbert Michelisz, who have both been part of the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing line-up in the series since the very start.
“Added to that now is Mikel Azcona, who has shown his skill in touring car racing again and again at a range of levels.
“As a Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Driver, I am sure he will be able to continue his rapid progression to become a regular contender for race wins in a push for his first WTCR title.
“Of course, while the drivers and BRC Racing Team have a huge role to play in the success of the season ahead, as the Customer Racing department we need to be able to support them however needed.
“We look forward to working closely with them during the year ahead and celebrating every success with them.”
Azcona will enter into his fifth season of touring car racing with a different brand for the first time.
“I’m extremely happy and proud to join Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing for the upcoming season as a driver in WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup,” said Azcona.
“It’s another great, positive step on my career and, of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without the big support from my family.
“Hyundai is a reference for manufacturers, with a such a big potential in automotive world, especially in motorsports and TCR racing where Hyundai cars have been at the top for many years.
“I can’t wait to start working with my new teammate, everyone at the BRC Racing Team and to jump into the Elantra N TCR as well and do my best, as always. I’m really looking forward to start a great season – I’m convinced we can achieve great results together.”
Michelisz is expecting an ‘exciting’ partnership with Azcona, who is one of the hottest talents in TCR racing at present.
“I am very happy and honoured to confirm a drive in WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup with the Elantra N TCR and the BRC Racing Team,” said Michelisz.
“Every season preparation and start is exciting, but it’s even more so this year with having Mikel as my teammate, since he is probably one of the best drivers out there.
“I have followed his career and enjoyed every fight on track we had since his arrival in WTCR, and really look forward to working with him.
“We know the Elantra N TCR is a race-winning car, and we now have an extra season of experience with the chassis to put to use.
“I expect another very competitive and hard-fought year with a lot of battles. My target is to be competitive from the first moment and add to the successes the team and I have already had in WTCR.”
Jean-Karl Vernay, who raced for the manufacturer in WTCR and ETCR in 2021, will remain on board in a different series.