Review: Round 2 – Valencia

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing continued its strong start to the 2026 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour when the series stopped off in Spain this weekend as Norbert Michelisz and Mikel Azcona completed the podium in Race 2 and Race 3 respectively at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

Hungarian Michelisz, who headed his BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse team-mate Azcona in a 1-2 finish during last month’s Misano season opener, charged through from sixth on the grid to finish Race 2 in third position having placed fourth in Race 1. He banked more important points in Race 3 by taking the chequered flag in fourth after he honoured an agreement to hand the place to Azcona.

The 66 points Michelisz scored across the Valencia weekend left the two-time Kumho FIA TCR World Tour champion firmly in the 2026 title chase in fourth position, one place and five points behind Azcona.

While Michelisz finished in the top four three times in the Valencia sunshine, home hero Azcona was denied a seemingly certain victory in Race 1. From fourth on the grid, Azcona pulled off a stunning triple overtake by snatching the lead through Turn 2. Having maximised the performance of his Hyundai Elantra N TCR to fend off pressure from the chasing pack, Race 1 had less than five minutes to run when Azcona was forced to pit to replace a damaged front-right tyre. From being on course for his first win of the season, despite carrying 40 kilograms of compensation weight, a frustrated Azcona had to settle for 19th place.

Race 2 brought Azcona his first points-scoring finish of the Valencia weekend with fifth place from seventh on the grid after he allowed Michelisz, who was able to run at a faster pace, to overtake heading to the first corner on lap eight. And fourth became third on the run to the chequered flag in Race 3 after Michelisz slowed to ensure his team-mate could celebrate a home podium.

Gabriele Covini, making his second and final scheduled outing for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, scored a best result of 10th in Race 2 after his hopes in Race 1, which he started from the pitlane, were knocked by a drive-through penalty for track limit infringements. He completed Race 3 in 12th. 

The Valencia event was one of four Kumho FIA TCR World Tour to follow the Format 3 schedule, which consisted of two 30-minute free practice sessions, a two-phase qualifying, including Q1 for 20 minutes and a 10-minute Q2 for the fastest 12 drivers in Q1, plus three races lasting for 30 minutes plus one lap. Valencia’s shorter 3,136-kilometre layout was used rather than the more familiar 4,005-kilometre Grand Prix Circuit.

Drivers lined up for Race 1 according to their qualifying results. The Race 2 grid was based on the qualifying results but with the top 10 in reverse, while the driver setting the fastest lap in Race 1 was moved up one position on the Race 2 grid. The Race 3 grid was formed according to the points scored in qualifying, Race 1 and Race 2 with the leading scorer starting from pole position.

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Benoît Nogier said:

Had it not been for a very unfortunate puncture, we would have celebrated our second race win of the season, such was Mikel’s fantastic drive from fourth on the grid in Race 1. But that’s motorsport and he didn’t give up, showing his fighting qualities to score important points in Race 2 and Race 3. Even though we didn’t take a victory, both Mikel and Norbi finished on the podium to further underline the level of both BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse and the Elantra N TCR.

Driver Notes: #196 Mikel Azcona (ESP), Hyundai Elantra N TCR

• Despite carrying 40 kilograms of compensation weight and starting from fourth on the grid, Azcona was on course to win Race 1 before tyre damage led to an unscheduled pit stop in the final five minutes
• Competing on home soil, Azcona hit back from that disappointment to finish Race 2 in fifth position
• Third place in Race 3 brought plenty of satisfaction and more useful Kumho FIA TCR World Tour points ahead of round three of the season taking place at Circuit Paul Ricard in France from July 4/5

Azcona said: “Race 1 was a full mix of feelings. I started P4, I saw the blue cars were fighting and I took the opportunity to go inside and overtake all three cars in one corner and I was so happy. During the race I was trying to be conservative on the tyres, on the kerbs. It was a very long race, 24 laps, with a really high track temperature. My goal was to be as gentle as possible, and I think I did the best job to keep out of the kerbs and out of trouble. I had the race in the pocket, it was almost done. Then, very unfortunately, with four laps to go, I started to feel a vibration in the front-right tyre, and it was getting worse and worse. I had a slow puncture which cost me the race, a very painful situation. After starting Race 2 in P7 I was very happy to finish fifth and score valuable points for the championship. It was a very tough race compared to Race 1, starting in the pack I knew it was going to be very difficult, and it was. Finally, we got the podium in Race 3 after a tough weekend. It feels like a victory after losing the victory in Race 1, starting from P6. Obviously, it’s thanks to Norbi because he gave me the position on the last lap, and thanks also to the team. It was a very good race, I felt competitive, I overtook two cars on the first lap. Even carrying 40 kilos of compensation weight I felt very strong, much better than the second race after we improved the car a lot.”

Driver Notes: #105 Norbert Michelisz (HUN), Hyundai Elantra N TCR

• Claimed a weekend-high of third place in Race 2 having started in sixth position
• Podium finish built on his fourth place in Race 1 with the points scored securing fourth on the grid for Race 3, which he completed in the same position after he allowed Azcona to overtake
• Following two events, Michelisz holds fourth in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour standings, one place behind Azcona 

Michelisz said: “Race 1 wasn’t easy, I struggled a lot driving behind other cars with the understeer, but finishing fourth was okay, the target was to collect some points, which we managed to do. I was happy for the team but also so gutted for the team and Mikel, they had a chance to win Race 1 and I’m sorry it didn’t happen. P3 in Race 2 was a good start to today. My start was very good, I had the momentum, but I got squeezed a bit on the grass so had to lift, and from that point I was on the outside for T1 and T2. Mikel then let me past, I felt a bit faster so the agreement was that in case I could not overtake any cars I would give the position back. But because Ma served a penalty and was between us, I finished on the podium. I had good pace in Race 3 and was able to follow the cars in front. After a good start my target was not only to get to the podium but to see if I could attack the blue cars ahead. I did my best, I was pushing hard, but, in the end, there was no chance to overtake. Nevertheless, I’m happy with the points, very happy for the team, we showed very good progress from qualifying, and my Hyundai Elantra N TCR felt much better, so I am very pleased.”