Mikel Azcona joins Norbert Michelisz at BRC Hyundai
Mikel Azcona will partner Norbert Michelisz at BRC Motorsport for the 2022 FIA World Touring Car Cup season, with the Spaniard switching manufacturer from Cupra to Hyundai.
“I’m very happy for this change in my racing career,” Azcona told TouringCarTimes. “It’s a positive change and will make me grow as a driver.”
Michelisz, meanwhile, will start his fifth season as part of BRC Hyundai and says he is boosted by his new team-mate.
“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.”
Azcona replaces touring car giant Gabriele Tarquini who announced his retirement from full-time racing last year.
“Replacing Gabriele Tarquini, and his wealth of experience, was a tough task, but with Mikel Azcona I believe we have the right driver,” said Hyundai Motorsport deputy team director Julien Moncet.
“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.”
Azcona had raced for Cupra since making his international touring car debut, becoming TCR Europe champion in 2018 and 2021 and claiming three victories in three seasons in the WTCR.
Azcona was also part of the Cupra outfit in the PURE ETCR last year, finishing third in the championship.
“I’m very pleased for this new opportunity coming from Hyundai Motorsport and I’m looking forward to start with the preseason testing and working with the BRC team and Hyundai Motorsport,” added Azcona.
Azcona is targeting victories in his new venture with BRC Motorsport, with the Spaniard looking to raising his game for the next season: “I’m very motivated, I’m training a lot ahead of the season so we can fight for good results, and I’m sure that both Hyundai and me have common targets and this is why I have made this change.
“Hyundai is a reference manufacturer and has fought for the world title in recent years and I’m sure that together, how I am as a driver, with my motivation and targets, we can achieve good results and victories,” added the Spaniard. “I’m very excited for this change and I’m looking forward to continuing growing as a driver.”
Azcona is also looking forward to working with team-mate Michelisz, whom he’s followed and admired as a racing driver for years: “I’m also very happy to partner Norbert Michelisz at BRC, he’s a reference driver for me and also one of my heroes, as I have followed him throughout my racing career and I like him very much.”
The duo will start pre-season testing “in the coming weeks”.
Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing is yet to confirm whether there will be any further full-season Elantra entries in the 2022 WTCR, following Engstler Motorsport’s switch to Honda and Target Competition’s return to TCR Europe.
