Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing extended its winning run with Norbert Michelisz taking Race 1

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing made it back-to-back wins in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour as defending champion Norbert Michelisz led the charge for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse at Monza.

Driving a Hyundai Elantra N TCR for the Italy-based outfit, Hungarian Michelisz resisted early pressure to convert his Race 1 pole position into his first victory of the 2025 season. It was the second first-place finish in as many weekends for the long-standing Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing team after Néstor Girolami triumphed in Valencia six days previously.

Even with 30 kilograms of Compensation Weight fitted to his Hyundai Elantra N TCR, Girolami rose from 10th to sixth in Saturday’s Race 1, his early progress hampered by having to take avoiding action after several cars made contact at Turn 1, the entry to the Variante del Rettifilo, on the opening lap.

The Argentine lined up at the front on the partially-reversed Race 2 grid and led heroically for the opening nine laps. But with his nearest rival benefiting from carrying zero additional weight, Girolami was ultimately unable to maintain his advantage, settling instead for a strong second place. Michelisz charged through from ninth on the grid to finish fourth, a mere 1.951s behind the winner.

Mikel Azcona was forced into the role of overtaker supreme for the second Kumho FIA TCR World Tour event running. Having made it a Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing 1-2 in Qualifying, Azcona was in second place in Race 1 when a front-left puncture caused an unscheduled pitstop after six laps. The Spanish driver, who fought back to finish 10th, had been providing an expert back-up role to Michelisz, who was still able to fend off the threat of the chasing pack with ease thanks, in part, to his “perfect” Hyundai Elantra N TCR.

Any hopes Azcona had of breaking into the top five in Race 2 were dashed when a precautionary engine change resulted in him starting from the back of the grid in 18th position after the 12-place grid penalty rule was applied. Azcona had recovered to 10th only for contact to drop him to 13th. He eventually took the chequered flag in 11th for more crucial Kumho FIA TCR World Tour points.

The Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing trio had to be at the peak of their physical powers throughout the Monza weekend due to the ambient and track temperatures. They reached 31 and 55 degrees centigrade respectively on Saturday and 28 and 46 degrees centigrade respectively on Sunday.

Wildcard Damiano Reduzzi drove a Team Trico WRT Elantra N TCR to seventh in Race 1 and 12th in Race 2.

Meanwhile, Vila Real in Portugal marks the next stop on the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour from July 4-6 when Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing swaps Monza’s long straights and high-speed corners for the narrow confines and undulating layout of the northern Portuguese town’s iconic street track.

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Benoît Nogier said:

“Another weekend and another race win says so much about the hard work that everyone at BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse and Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing has been putting in. It also highlights the performance of the Hyundai Elantra N TCR and, of course, Norbert Michelisz, who took a fantastic first win of the season to follow Néstor Girolami’s victory at the previous round in Spain. Néstor did an excellent job and came very close to winning Race 2. While it was a frustrating trip to Monza for Mikel Azcona, his determination to hit back from adversity was clear and his positive attitude, despite the challenges he faced, was exemplary. We have two weeks before the first street race of the season in Portugal next month. It’s a track where BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse has won at in the past, so we head there with high hopes.”

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

• Azcona was on course to complete a Hyundai-powered 1-2 in Race 1 until a puncture dropped him back before his fine recovery drive netted 10th place
• Precautionary engine change ahead of Race 2 incurred a 12-place grid penalty, which dropped the Spaniard from ninth to 18th prior to the start
• Undeterred he battled through the field to run as high as 10th before he settled for 11th at the finish

Azcona said: “After a very positive qualifying I had a very good start in Race 1, but I lost position to Aurélien Comte who was very fast on the straights. I was then in P2, just trying to manage the pace and the tyres. The balance was good and I felt confident with the car. Unfortunately, on lap six, I had a puncture and I had to pit to change the tyre. We lost the race but scored good points for the standings. Race 2 was also positive. I started from the back of the grid due to the engine change. I was able to arrive in P11 after a very good start, trying to avoid the chaos at the first chicane. I made some overtakes during the race, the car balance was good again and the engine performance seemed better. I’m happy with the points and already thinking to Vila Real in two weeks.”

Driver Notes: #129 Néstor Girolami (ARG), Hyundai Elantra N TCR

• Climbed from 10th to sixth in the opening race of the Monza weekend
• Started Race 2 first on the partial-reversed grid and remained calm under pressure – even following a safety car intervention – to lead for nine laps despite carrying 30 kilograms of compensation weight
• He will head to round four in Portugal sixth in the standings, equal on 125 points with Michelisz

Girolami said: “Qualifying was a great team result, first and second for Norbi and Mikel and P10 for me to start first for Race 2. Race 1 was an amazing for the team and congrats to Norbi, he did a fantastic race. I started P10, finished P6 so valuable points for me with 30 kilograms of compensation weight. P2 in Race 2 was a good result and more good points for the team. Of course we wanted to win, I was leading the race but having to defend from the beginning because of the compensation weight. We were doing pretty good and I had everything under control until Comte arrived, he was flying, very fast on the straights and it was impossible to defend against him. In the end I wanted to score the points, I didn’t want to put at risk the result because it’s important for us to keep reducing the gap in the championship after the weekend we had in Mexico. I’m very happy for the team and for Norbi for winning Race 1, he did a very good job. Let’s keep this momentum going into Vila Real.”

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

• Secured pole position following “inch perfect” lap and great teamwork by Azcona
• Delivered a lights-to-flag Race 1 victory against determined opposition
• Flying start and superb overtaking manoeuvre at the high-speed Parabolica right-hand turn netted fourth place in Race 2

Michelisz said: “Pole position in Monza was an amazing feeling after qualifying went inch perfect. We had the perfect car and a fantastic strategy by helping each other with the slipstream, which worked absolutely brilliantly. And with Mikel in P2 it was a fantastic team result. The target for Race 1 was to have a good start and we managed that. Even though the car was great, it wasn’t easy to defend in the first couple of laps. After Aurélien Comte had some problems, I had a gap and didn’t do any mistakes. I was incredibly happy about the points and also in Race 2 when I finished P4. I had a fantastic start so I already gained some positions. The car was working really nice with a good balance and I was always confident to push and attack. I did my best to go on the podium and also to help Néstor but finishing P4 was the maximum I could do. I’m very grateful to the team because the car was fantastic from the first moment of the weekend. I can’t wait for the next event.”