BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse are treating the opening event of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour season as something to bounce back from, as the team struggled with an unexpected issue, as well as a number of other problems.
The reigning drivers’ championship-winning team left Mexico in a surprising last place in both titles after a trouble-filled weekend, with the Elantra N cars struggling for pace, and with all three drivers encountering dramas.
“We were lacking top speed. We couldn’t overtake in the infield section, and we were not fast enough to overtake on the straights,” said Mikel Azcona. “P10 in Race 1 was positive as it gave us the pole for the second race… I tried to save the position, but I was passed by six cars before T1, it was frustrating! Race 3 was a bit disappointing because my car was damaged by contact on the first lap. I was able to bring it to the box and my mechanics did a super job to fix it in a very short time. Eventually, I scored points, which was positive.”
Néstor Girolami is the best-placed driver from the Italian team in the standings in 12th position. “We could not fight for position, which was very frustrating,” he said. “Now we have to change our mind and focus on Valencia. I’m happy with the car, it was performing well, and this is very positive for Valencia. We collected some points and even the little points are counting for the championship.”
Two-time TCR World Tour champion Norbert Michelisz called it a ‘character-forming’ weekend. “It was damage limitation, with the target to stay out of trouble and finish the races,” he said. “The car felt good, the balance was fine, but I picked up a puncture in Race 1, which was probably caused by some debris. As a driver you always want to be in front of the others, which we couldn’t do as our speed was compromised. This wasn’t a weekend I enjoyed a lot, and I really hope we will be back on last year’s form. You have weekends which are forming the character, and this was definitely one of the most character-forming weekends of my career…”
Picture: WSC/FPC
