Following Target Competition’s immediate withdrawal from TCR Europe after qualifying at Circuit Paul Ricard on Saturday, WSC President Marcello Lotti has released a statement saying he ‘does not understand’ the decision.
Target Competition were to run two Hyundai Elantra N cars for Dušan Borković and Marco Butti at Le Castellet, but withdrew from the event – and the rest of the season – after qualifying over a second off the pace in Q1 and two seconds away in Q2.
However, TCR rights holder Lotti has questioned the decision – especially given the success and pace the team has demonstrated with the same car and driver in Butti in TCR Italy.
“We take note of the team’s decision, but we don’t understand it, especially as the Hyundai Elantra cars proved to be competitive in all the TCR series around the world while running under the same BoP,” said Lotti in a statement.
“Martin Cao Hong Wei leads in the very competitive TCR China after having won three races, Josh Buchan has scored two wins in TCR Australia and lies second in the standings, Mat’o Homola is the leader of TCR Eastern Europe with three wins, in the Kumho TCR World Tour Norbert Michelisz won twice and is second in the points, the Bryan Herta Autosport cars are first and second in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
“Looking at these results, we can’t share Target Competition’s decision; however, if this is their view, we now expect them to withdraw from TCR Italy as well, where Butti has claimed pole position in all the three events held so far and has won the season opening race at Imola.
“We also expect some kind of reaction from Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing.”