Hyundai confirms Azcona, Catsburg, Ceccon, Michelisz and Vernay for 2022
Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed its drivers for the 2022 FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup season, fielding four new-look Veloster N ETCR race cars.
Jean-Karl Vernay, Norbert Michelisz and Mikel Azcona will drive full season while Kevin Ceccon and Nicky Catsburg will split the fourth car.
“We have strengthened our driver line-up for this season with drivers with experience in ETCR and competition, as well as a huge range of other racing series,” said Hyundai Motorsport Deputy Team Principal Julien Moncet.
“Their input during pre-season testing has been vital as we work to develop the car ready for a new year of competition. The results from the running we have already completed has been very positive, and there is still more to come before the first competitive weekend. When we line-up in the gates for the opening race of the season we know we will be as well prepared as possible.”
Vernay, who finished as runner-up last year, is keen to get revenge this year.
“Last year we showed that the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR can be competitive on track and we finished strongly with my King of the Weekend title in Pau-Arnos, and for 2022 we should be able to take another big step forward,” said Vernay.
“Personally I have the experience of the series and the car. I know the balance of the chassis, and what I need to do to be able to challenge for the title once again. However, it already looks as though this is.”
Azcona finished third in the ETCR last year for Cupra and will just as last year double up his ETCR programme with WTCR, albeit with Hyundai this year.
“I’m super motivated to go ahead into my second season in FIA ETCR – my first with Hyundai Motorsport,” said Azcona.
“The experience I have in the championship gives me an extra boost of confidence to fight again for the title. Last year the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR was very competitive, especially in the second half of the season. We’re well prepared after our testing, where we’ve been able to develop the car as a team between all the drivers and the engineers.”
While Michelisz is an experienced WTCR racer for Hyundai, 2022 will be his first ETCR experience.
“I was following ETCR last year when it shared the weekend with WTCR, and enjoyed watching the close battles on track, so I’m very excited about being able to participate in the series,” said Michelisz.
“It will be a completely new experience for me, but I’m very much looking forward to taking my place in FIA ETCR. The preparations have already started, and I immediately felt comfortable driving the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR in testing. It is obviously very different to drive than the TCR machinery I am more used to.”
Italian racer Kevin Ceccon is new to the team and raced in TCR Italy last year for Aggressive Italia, finishing second overall.
“I’m very excited to join Hyundai Motorsport for the 2022 FIA ETCR season. I will give all my support to the team to achieve great results, and though my role is only part-time in the series, I will race 100% every session on track,” said Ceccon.
“The Hyundai Veloster N ETCR is demanding to drive, but impressive considering how quickly the technology and engineering of electric vehicles have progressed in the last few years. The car and driving style are very different compared to the TCR, it reminds me a bit of the rear-wheel driving experiences I had in my career before.”
Dutchman Catsburg is back with Hyundai, having last raced for the South Korean manufacturer in the 2020 WTCR season, and will drive the last four races of the calendar.
“I have always wanted to be a part of ETCR, a relatively new racing series with great future possibilities,” said Catsburg.
“To come back to Hyundai Motorsport after a good time with them in the WTCR feels very good, and I thank them for the great opportunity. I am a proper rookie when it comes to electric racing so my first test sessions were very interesting, but I was able to gain the confidence in the car and work alongside my new team-mates.”
