WTCR returns to the Nordschleife as weights come into force
The FIA World Touring Car Cup heads to the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife this weekend as compensation weights come into force for the first time in 2022.
The Honda drivers have taken a heavy hit after their strong pace in the Pau-Ville season opener, where Néstor Girolami headed Münnich Motorsport team-mate Esteban Guerrieri to a 1-2 in the first race.
While the maximum compensation weight has been lowered from 60kg to 40kg for 2022, the Japanese drivers are expected to have a tough time this weekend as all competitors remain at 0kg.
A factor that could neutralise the weight is the weather, as the forecasts show risk for cool temperatures and rain during the weekend.
Girolami is confident either way.
“It’s a privilege to be leading the WTCR Drivers’ standings, and I want to keep this momentum up as we head to the Nordschleife,” he said.
“We knew because of our performance in Pau we would receive the maximum compensation weight, but I still feel confident because in the last two years I have been able to take pole position, and I will be a bit bold and say we can be in the fight again this time.
“I feel like it’s my year to fight for the title, so I will work even harder for the rest of the year to maintain this position in the Championship.”
Hyundai newcomer Mikel Azcona impressed during the Pau-Ville opener by winning the reversed grid race and is currently placed third overall behind the Honda duo.
The Spaniard is one to watch this weekend, with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR performing strongly last year at the Nordschleife.
“I have three years of experience at this circuit, and I think with the combination of BRC Racing Team and the Hyundai Elantra N TCR, we can fight for pole position and a podium this weekend,” he said. “The main goal is to be focused, consistent, and to aim for points in both races for the title fight.”
Azcona’s team-mate Norbert Michelisz made an uncharacteristic error in the start of the second race in France, clashing with fellow Hungarian Attila Tassi and has received a six-place grid penalty for the incident that he will serve for the first race this weekend.
The Lynk & Co Cyan Racing quintet had a mixed first race of the season in France where, unexpectedly, series returnee Ma Qing Hua and Santiago Urrutia emerged as the Swedish squad’s top scoring drivers – currently sharing fourth overall.
Reigning champion Yann Ehrlacher had a tough season opener, having to retire while in a podium position from the second race, and is only seventh in the standings – with the Frenchman keen to bounce back.
“My approach will be to claw back as many points as possible as we missed some during the last race in France, it was a bit painful to lose that many points,” said Ehrlacher.
“But I am definitely ready to fight this weekend as it was a long time since I was in a position like this, not defending. Racing on the Nürburgring is maybe the craziest thing you can do on this planet and it’s really challenging to drive at 100% here, you are shaking after a really quick lap.”
The Lynk & Co drivers will no doubt be in the mix towards the top, but could struggle on the long straights as they run the second highest total weight of 1315kg, 10kg less than the Hondas.
The Audi drivers of Comtoyou Racing had a somewhat disappointing opening race weekend, with Nathanaël Berthon their best placed driver in seventh position overall.
The Frenchman lost a potential podium in the first race after a tyre issue, just like his countryman Ehrlacher, still providing a hint that the German cars should be expected at the very top this weekend as well.
The Cupra duo Rob Huff and Dániel Nagy made the most of a very late Zengo Motorsport entry in the Pau-Ville opener and 2012 champion Huff is optimistic for the Nürburgring.
“My job is to upset the balance of the big boys and we know we’re perfectly capable of doing that and we’ve got to make the most of every opportunity and the Nürburgring is a very good opportunity for us,” he said.
“We’re going to try to maximise that as much as possible and hopefully come away with some good results.”
The Nürburgring weekend features a different format compared to the other race weekends as its part of the Nürburgring 24 Hour race weekend, running two races of three laps each on Saturday morning.
Schedule
Times in CEST
Thursday – May 26th
14:30 – FP1
19:00 – FP2
Friday – May 27th
13:00 – Qualifying
Saturday – May 28th
10:00 – Race 1
12:35 – Race 2
