Hyundai Motorsport entered the new FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup with a five-driver line-up, led by the 2021 PURE ETCR runner-up Jean-Karl Vernay.

Vernay with Norbert Michelisz and Mikel Azcona will compete in the full season at the wheel of the team’s Veloster N ETCR cars, while Kevin Ceccon and Nicky Catsburg will complete the team.

Ceccon, who was runner up in last year’s TCR Italy championship with a Hyundai i30 N, is scheduled to compete in the first three rounds of the series, while Catsburg who was a race winner with i30 N in the 2020 WTCR, will join from the event at Jarama in June.

Vernay said: “I’m extremely motivated for the season. As a team we’ve worked hard through the winter to make sure we are ready for the start of the new campaign. Last year we showed that the Veloster N ETCR can be competitive on track, and for 2022 we should be able to take another big step forward”

Michelisz said: “I was following ETCR last year, and enjoyed watching the close battles on track, so I’m very excited about being able to participate in the series. 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.”

Azcona said: “The experience I have in the championship gives me an extra boost of confidence to fight again for the title. 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.”

Ceccon said: "I'm excited to join Hyundai Motorsport for the FIA ETCR. 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.”

Catsburg said: “I have always wanted to be a part of ETCR. To come back to Hyundai Motorsport 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.”

Picture: WSC Group