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WTCR organisers, rivals respond to Hyundai withdrawal

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The FIA, WSC and Eurosport Events – as well as both Honda and Geely Group Motorsport – have responded to the announcement that Hyundai’s customer teams will not compete at the Nürburgring this weekend.

The Korean marque revealed this morning that the cars run by BRC Racing and Team Engstler would not take to the track at the Nordschleife, stating that it “has the feeling that neither the company nor its customer teams are given equal treatment in the series to other competitors and are not made to feel welcome”.

That followed arguments at Zolder in relation to the introduction of the new standardised ECU into the series, with a number of cars not using the new part after teams requested waivers from the FIA Touring Car Committee – arguing that there was not enough time to integrate it with their cars.

On the back of Hyundai’s decision to withdraw from the German meeting, those behind the series have insisted that “continued and constructive dialogue” will continue with the teams involved but that the current focus would be on the race weekend ahead.

“FIA, WSC and WTCR promoter Eurosport Events Limited (EEL) acknowledge the decision of the Hyundai Motorsport customer teams to withdraw from FIA WTCR Race of Germany,” a statement read.

“All the three parties are united in their mission to deliver a fair competition for all entrants, from a sporting, technical and promotional point of view, providing a platform to compete on an equal basis.

“EEL, FIA and WSC look forward to continued and constructive dialogue with Hyundai Motorsport’s customer teams.

“At the same time, the focus is on delivering a successful WTCR Race of Germany event on the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife from September 24-26.”

Hyundai’s decision to withdraw its customer teams from the weekend came as a surprise to rivals Honda and Lynk & Co – although both manufacturers declined to comment on the situation.

“We are surprised to see Hyundai leave,” head of Geely Group Motorsport Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin said, “but we will not comment further on specific decisions made by competitors.”

“As a principle we never comment on other manufacturers,” Honda Europe motorsport manager William de Braekeleer added. “We can only be sad that they are leaving.”