Mikel Azcona: “I’m so sorry for Santi”

Mikel Azcona has put one hand on the 2026 FIA TCR World Tour drivers’ title after winning the third race of the weekend at Zhejiang while title rival Santiago Urrutia suffered a puncture following contact between the two.

“What a very good feeling to finish the weekend like this, winning the race after the tough race this morning,” said Azcona.

Things looked far more bleak for the BRC Hyundai driver after Race 2 after he had opted for a mixed tyre setup of wets and slicks on a slowly drying track, resulting in a 14th place finish while Urrutia claimed fifth.

That brought the gap down to just 17 points between the two ahead of the final race.

Geely driver Urrutia made a strong start from second to snatch the lead from Azcona’s team-mate Norbert Michelisz.

Azcona then put hard pressure on Urrutia and the Uruguayan driver made a mistake coming out onto the start/finish straight on lap six.

Urrutia made a late move to try and defend from Azcona who went for the inside heading to Turn 1, a move which resulted in contact and a puncture for the Cyan Racing driver.

“I’m so sorry for ‘Santi’, yeah, he did a mistake on the last corner,” said Azcona.

“I went to the inside and had much better momentum. I’m sorry about his puncture, but I think he closed quite early, I was already there. Sorry for him, but super happy for my championship.”

Urrutia pitted and was able to finish in tenth place while Azcona headed home another BRC Hyundai 1-2, opening up the points lead over Urrutia to 39 points ahead of the season finale where there is a total of 75 points available.

“Still two races to go in Macau, but now I will take the flight home tonight and I will be much more relaxed than after Race 2. I’m super happy, vamos!” said Azcona.