Mikel Azcona relishes first 2024 pole position

Mikel Azcona bounced back in the Mid-Ohio qualifying with his first pole position of the 2024 FIA TCR World Tour season and relished the moment after a difficult previous race weekend in Morocco.

“I’m really happy for the first pole of the year. I was waiting for that moment since the beginning after a difficult start of the season,” said Azcona.

“Finally, I won it here in Mid-Ohio. I have been preparing myself for this weekend, after the bad weekend in Morocco that cost me some positions in the championship.”

The 15 points from his pole position has elevated him to share third place overall with team-mate Néstor Girolami, still trailing points leader Norbert Michelisz by 23 points.

And Azcona said the pole was even sweeter following issues during practice.

“To be honest, free practice was challenging for us, because track conditions were very difficult with a very slippery track,” said Azcona.

“Thanks to my team we made a big effort to set up the car in the best way. I was happy after FP2, and the car was perfect.

“I have never had a car as I have had today. In these conditions it’s always difficult but today I had the perfect car. It was a pair of amazing laps in Q1, Q2 and yes, I’m very happy but we need to finish the work tomorrow…”