Zhuzhou marks unchartered territory for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse

For the third time in 2024, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse takes a step into the unknown at the Zhuzhou International Circuit in China this weekend (October 18-20) with two objectives in mind: to maintain the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour for Drivers’ lead and to reclaim the initiative in the Teams’ championship.

The Zhuzhou circuit is the third all-new venue that the series visits this season, following appearances at Mid-Ohio and Interlagos, and marks both the return to racing action after a long summer break and, as host of the penultimate round, the start of the end-of-season run-in.

Five rounds and 10 races into the campaign, Norbert Michelisz sits atop the standings with a 25-point title advantage – but will be burdened with 30 kilograms of Compensation Weight in China, 20 kilograms more than second-placed Esteban Guerrieri.

And though three long straights and a downhill braking point at Turn 3 are expected to provide overtaking opportunities around the 3.774-kilometre circuit, the stop-start nature of the track layout, with its 14 corners, is set to hinder cars carrying Compensation Weight.

That’s a challenge Michelisz is not underestimating, acknowledging it will be “very tough to score a lot of points”, but the Hungarian nevertheless heads to China in buoyant mood.

“I feel in good form, good shape and quite confident so I’m really looking forward to the races,” he says.

That renewed belief is shared not just by Michelisz’s team-mates, Mikel Azcona and Néstor Girolami, but Hyundai Motorsport Circuit Racing Project Leader Julien Moncet too.

“Zhuzhou is a new track for our three drivers and BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse, but they have all shown a great ability to adapt to new situations on many occasions and we can expect the same in China,” says Moncet.

Azcona will, like Michelisz, carry an extra 30 kilograms, but Girolami is free of Compensation Weight – and has clear aims in mind at Zhuzhou, where the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour elite will share the grid with drivers from the highly competitive TCR China series.

“The main target is to keep in the fight for both championships,” says the Argentinian. “From my side I will focus on the Teams’ championship and try the maximum to reduce the gap of 33 points to our competitor. I will also do all I can to support Norbi to keep his lead of the Drivers’ championship.”