Photo: WTCR

Zsolt Szabó gets M1RA call for Oschersleben

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Zsolt Szabó will make his TCR Europe debut this weekend at Oschersleben after being called up by the M1RA team to replace Dániel Nagy.

Nagy announced that he was to leave the team on the eve of the German race meeting, citing a lack of results as his reason – leading to the possibility that M1RA would be left with just a single Hyundai i30 N TCR on track for championship hopeful Luca Engstler.

However, a deal has been struck that will see Szabó return to action this weekend, with the 23-year-old having been left without a full-season drive this year after leaving the World Touring Car Cup.

Szabó completed in WTCR last season for the Zengő Motorsport team, finishing 31st in the standings.

“We have to focus on the race ahead of us with Luca as we fight to win TCR Europe and it was important for the team to find the right replacement for Dani,” team principal Dávid Bári said. “We know the abilities of Zsolt and can see how motivated he is. I think he definitely deserves be back on the grid at an international level.”

Szabó himself said he was delighted with the deal and was ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

“Words can’t say how grateful I am to M1RA for this opportunity,” he said, “but it’s not the time yet to celebrate anything, because I have a lot to learn. This weekend could be one of the biggest challenge of my life, but I can’t wait to face it.”