Gabriele Tarquini and Antti Buri agree Hyundai i30 N TCR needs more development

The Hyundai i30 N TCR has made its first public appearance in anger today at Misano in the 24H TCE Series. The car, which is still under development, is being driven by touring car veteran Gabriele Tarquini and TCR Germany regular Antti Buri this weekend.

Both drivers agree that, despite the huge potential, the car is still some way off its final specification, as Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing continue the development of the car with assistance from BRC Racing.

“The car has good potential, and these guys are very passionate about their job,” said Tarquini to TouringCarTimes. “At my age sometimes you need a fresh start to remind you how much you love this sport, and in that sense both Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing and BRC Racing were important factors in making this decision (to join the project). Of course this is basically a prototype, the final spec will be different, but I already appreciate the qualities of the car.”

To start with, the former World Touring Car champion was attracted by the professionalism of the team: “These guys have done great things in rallying, and straight from the word go I realised I was in a very professional environment. As a driver, you are always attracted by people who know how to do the job. Their enthusiasm did the rest and I’m happy I decided to join Hyundai.”

Antti Buri is having his first contact with the Korean car this weekend. The former TCR Germany race winner is keen to learn the new machinery, although he is aware the final spec of the car will be much different compared to what he is driving now.

“It is pretty different compared to the SEAT I’m used to driving,” said the Finn to TouringCarTimes. “I can say the Hyundai feels like a TCR car, which means the boys have done a good job so far. They are heading in the right direction. Many things will change before we see the final specification of the car.”

Buri elected to skip the TCR Germany race in Oschersleben scheduled for this weekend in order to take part in the “extended test” Hyundai are conducting in Misano. The Finn feels this opens an opportunity for his future.

“It’s a great chance for me, I’m going to learn a lot both from the driving and from the technical side. For sure as a driver I hope I will be able to continue beyond this weekend with them, but for now I’m keeping my feet on the ground and taking it step by step.”

The fastest lap time posted by the Hyundai i30 N TCR is 1:43.748. Although it was set during the Night Practice session, it is half a second quicker than the fastest lap clocked by any TCR cars in the Italian series last month.