TCR Italy champion Nicolas Taylor: “The most difficult race of my career”

Canadian driver Nicolas Taylor claimed the 2024 TCR Italy title after ending up on the same points as title rival Ruben Volt following a chaotic last race of the Monza season finale weekend.

The Audi driver started the last race from eighth on the grid and worked his way up to finish seventh, passing title rival Volt on the way.

“This was the most difficult race of my career, we put the slick tyres but in the first laps in these conditions it was really risky,” said Taylor.

“I was cautious, we lost some positions. At that moment I thought it was really not possible to win the title. Then I realised that Volt had a problem and I overtook him, then in the mirrors I saw that he was two positions behind and at that point I knew I had to finish the race like this.”

Taylor, who made his TCR debut this year, headed into the season finale weekend in third place overall, trailing points leader Nicola Baldan by 35 points.

Baldan dropped to last place as the lights went out, further strengthening Taylor’s chances.

“If I think about that this was my first year in the TCR… I have no words,” said Taylor.

“But it’s not over until it’s not over. After the first lap my engineer told me about Baldan and I knew that I only had to focus on Volt.

“I can’t believe it, this year I thought I only had to learn but in Misano I found myself on the front row and there I understood that I could also win. Next year I will still be here, because it is a very competitive championship with many drivers.”

Volt lost the title despite finishing on the same points as Taylor as the Canadian driver had more second place finishes during the season.

“I was hit and broke my right rear suspension after the first corner and at that point it was difficult to keep the car on the track, there was nothing to do. I had the championship in my pocket 250 meters from the first chicane,” said Volt.

Baldan dropped from the lead to finish third overall as the Audi driver had to restart his Audi just as the rolling start went underway.

“Unfortunately we had yet another technical problem. We were ready and it would have been nice to fight until the last lap, but that’s racing,” said Baldan.

“I congratulate (team-mate) Teddy (Clairet) who was here without worries and without ballast, which pays off in Monza. He made it perfect, what I was hoping to do. But that’s okay. I’ll try again in 2025, I’m young!”