Line-up confirmed for FIA ETCR
After competing in the first-ever PURE ETCR season in 2021, we are moving into the new era of the FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup with renewed energy for 2022.
“As a team we can look back on our successes in PURE ETCR with the Veloster N ETCR with pride, however we know there is still more performance possible and we want to show this in 2022.” said our Deputy Team Principal, Julien. “We have strengthened our line-up for this season with drivers with experience in ETCR competition, as well as a huge range of other racing series.”
New-look team
The line-up is led by 2021 PURE ETCR runner-up Jean-Karl Vernay, who will race the Veloster N ETCR in all rounds of the seven-event season.
“Last year we showed that the Veloster N ETCR can be competitive on track, and we finished strongly with my King of the Weekend title in Pau-Arnos,” said Jean-Karl. “For 2022, we should be able to take another big step forward.”
Alongside him will be fellow Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing drivers Norbert Michelisz and Mikel Azcona. Norbert will be taking his first steps into electric motorsport this season, while Mikel is a familiar name to ETCR followers with two King of the Weekend titles, which helped him to third in the final standings in 2021. Both drivers will combine their ETCR events with WTCR duties this season.
“It will be a completely new experience for me, but I’m very much looking forward to taking my place in FIA ETCR,” said Norbert. “I was following ETCR last year and enjoyed watching the close battles on track, so I’m very excited about being able to participate in the series.”
“I’m super motivated to go ahead into my second season in FIA ETCR – my first with Hyundai Motorsport,” added Mikel. “The experience I have in the championship gives me an extra boost of confidence to fight again for the title.”
Familiar faces
Joining them in the series will be Italian Kevin Ceccon and Dutch driver Nicky Catsburg, who will share the final spot. Kevin and Nicky are previous WTCR winners and have strong history with our TCR cars.
Kevin is scheduled to compete in the first three rounds of the series in France, Turkey and Hungary. His mix of Touring Car and high-powered rear-wheel-drive experience is the perfect combination for FIA ETCR competition.
“I will give all my support to the team to achieve great results, and though my role is only part-time in the series, I will race 100% every session on track,” said Kevin.
Nicky also brings a wealth of experience in rear-wheel-drive machinery, and he will join the team for the first time in Spain in June.
“I am a proper rookie when it comes to electric racing so my first test sessions were very interesting, but I was able to gain confidence in the car,” says Nicky. “To come back to Hyundai Motorsport after a good time with them in the WTCR feels very good, and I thank them for the great opportunity.”
The first race of the FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup will take place at the Pau Ville street circuit on May 7-8.
