Kumho FIA TCR World Tour season preview

BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse will be even more focused than ever before when it bids to reclaim the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Drivers’ and Teams’ titles in 2026.

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing’s long-term partner team has switched from a three- to a two-car line-up as it goes all out in its pursuit of further touring car success.

Based in Cherasco, northern Italy, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse will continue its alliance with Hungarian driver Norbert Michelisz for a ninth season, as Spain’s Mikel Azcona prepares for a fifth term as part of the team, for what will mark the Hyundai Elantra N TCR’s sixth year competing at the forefront of international touring car competition.

With four world-level touring car titles between them, Azcona and Michelisz form a hugely strong partnership, bringing vast pace and pedigree to BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse. 

Néstor Girolami, who joined BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse in 2024 and claimed three wins across two seasons, has turned his attentions to the TCR South America Touring Car Championship, where he drives an Elantra N TCR for the Hyundai MSA outfit. After two events, the Argentine driver leads the provisional standings.

By channelling its expertise into its pair of Elantra N EV TCR cars in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing moves into an even stronger position to support drivers and teams competing in other series across the globe.

Q+A with Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Benoit Nogier

What difference will operating as a two-car team make for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse?

“There are two key benefits. Firstly, the team can concentrate its attentions more closely on each car and driver. In such a competitive series as the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, that’s very important and can make the difference between success and failure. Let’s not forget that two of our strongest seasons in world touring car racing – 2022 and 2023 – were as a two-car team. Secondly, the change of strategy will also allow Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing to support its customers competing in TCR championships around the world to an even higher level than before.”

After completing the 2025 season with six wins, how confident are you of more success in 2026?

“We start every season aiming to win and our expectations haven’t change for 2026. Of course, the level of competition is very high, but we have tested well during the winter, making improvements to the Elantra N EV TCR. We have also seen what the car has achieved in other championships as a means of giving us more belief. Our victory in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Daytona and Alex Ley’s winning start to the TCR Europe season are good examples of this.”

Mikel and Norbert are familiar faces at BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse. What do they bring to the team?

“In Mikel and Norbi we can count on two extremely talented and experienced drivers with a proven record as world title winners. The level they are at means they continue to push each other very hard, which also helps when it comes to accelerating development. But we also have to remember that BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse brings massive knowledge to the programme and is a partner we place great trust in.”

Driver Quotes: BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse

Mikel Azcona

Mikel Azcona said: “My approach is always the same, to bring the maximum and all the effort to start the season in the best condition possible. We had some technical issues in the car last year, but we’ve fixed those during the winter so, already, we’re in a much better position than 2025. Testing has been good and, personally, I feel strong. While the target is to win the title myself, I will always look for the best possible result for the team. So, if I’m not in the position to fight for the title and Norbi is, then I will help the team and Norbi to bring the title home. After the challenging start to last year, we already started to think to 2026 during the season. We used every single kilometre to prepare for this year. That was not easy as a driver, but it was a process that means everything looks much better now. We are going to be much more competitive and much stronger. Having two cars on the grid and not three will make it a challenge in some situations, but I’m very happy to be with Norbi for a fifth season. We know how to work together and he’s such a good team-mate, and this makes me very motivated. I can’t wait to race again in my Hyundai. It’s been a long stop, and I really want to be back in the race weekend mood, working with my team on the strategy, working with my engineer on the set-up. This is something I’ve really missed.”

Norbert Michelisz

Norbert Michelisz said: “I’m expecting a lot this season because testing has gone very well, and we’ve been able to make quality gains in terms of performance. Because of this I’m like a child before Christmas. I’m super-excited, I feel very strong, and I feel very confident. It’s a big pleasure for me to continue to drive for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse but, moreover, I’m very excited by the prospect of driving the Elantra N TCR again. It’s also great having Mikel in the team, which means I have a bar that I have to set very high and cannot lean back. I still feel very hungry, I still want to come out on top, but, on the other hand, I still want to achieve great things for the team. It's a very nice and competitive environment with Mikel, we have helped each other to grow as race car drivers and as people. I am sorry that Néstor is not in the team, he was a huge asset, but we showed with Mikel before that even with two cars we can still win because we both know what we need to do to have success. I am fully committed and motivated for the season. My instinct tells me we will be the frontrunners. I feel a lot of energy, a lot of excitement and I can’t get back onto the racetrack.”