Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing secured two 1-2 finishes at China's Zhejiang Circuit during Round 7 of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour. Drivers Mikel Azcona and Norbert Michelisz delivered a commanding performance across changeable weather conditions, moving into first and second place in the overall Drivers' standings ahead of the season finale in Macau.
The China double-header weekend highlighted the operational versatility of the Hyundai Elantra N TCR race car in both wet and dry track conditions. Operating under the BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse banner, the team capitalized on strong qualifying results and tactical teamwork to maximize point scores across three grueling races.
Rain-Soaked Qualifying and Race 1 Triumph
In wet qualifying conditions at Zhejiang Circuit, Norbert Michelisz earned his first pole position of the season, edging out teammate Mikel Azcona to lock out the front row for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse. The start of Race 1 saw both Elantra N TCR cars run side-by-side into Turn 1, where Michelisz yielded the inside line to Azcona.
Despite contact on his left-rear quarter that briefly cost him positions, Michelisz recovered to finish second behind Azcona, securing a clean 1-2 result for Hyundai. Azcona managed wet-weather tyre temperatures effectively on a drying track to seal the victory.
Challenging Reverse Grid Conditions in Race 2
Race 2 posed significant technical challenges due to unpredictable track moisture. Starting from tenth on the reverse grid, Azcona's car was fitted with front slick tyres in anticipation of a drying surface that failed to materialize, limiting his progress through the field.
Conversely, Michelisz surged from ninth position on wet tyres, executing multiple overtakes on the damp surface to climb through the pack and finish second. The result provided essential championship points amidst treacherous racing conditions.
Strategic Execution in Race 3
Starting from pole position in Race 3, Michelisz led early before facing intense pressure from rival competitors. Following a safety car restart, Azcona capitalized on an opponent's braking error at Turn 16 to move into the lead.
Michelisz provided critical defensive positioning for the remaining laps to cover Azcona, crossing the finish line in second place to complete Hyundai's second 1-2 victory of the weekend.
Championship Standing Ahead of Macau Finale
The results at Zhejiang Circuit establish a strong position for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse entering the final round of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour in Macau, China next month. Mikel Azcona leads the Drivers' championship standings, closely followed by teammate Norbert Michelisz in second place.
| Driver | Car | Race 1 Finish | Race 2 Finish | Race 3 Finish | Championship Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikel Azcona | Hyundai Elantra N TCR | 1st | Out of top positions (Tyre error) | 1st | 1st |
| Norbert Michelisz | Hyundai Elantra N TCR | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
AkulRide Verdict
Hyundai Motorsport's performance at the Zhejiang Circuit underscores the technical maturity and competitive execution of the Elantra N TCR customer racing program. By managing variable weather, tyre strategy errors, and high-pressure defensive driving, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse demonstrated the operational depth required to contend for top honors in global touring car racing. With Azcona and Michelisz holding the top two positions in the standings, Hyundai enters the Macau finale in a commanding position to secure the Drivers' championship title.
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