WTCR Race of Hungary Race 1 press conference 12.06.2022: WTCR Race of Hungary, Hungaroring, June 10-12, 2022 WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup, Rounds 5 and 6 of 20 In attendance: Mikel Azcona (BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse), Race 1 winner Yann Ehrlacher (Cyan Racing Lynk &

WTCR Race of Hungary, Hungaroring, June 10-12, 2022
WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup, Rounds 5 and 6 of 20



In attendance:

Mikel Azcona (BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse), Race 1 winner
Yann Ehrlacher (Cyan Racing Lynk & Co), Race 1 second position
Nathanaël Berthon (Comtoyou DHL Team Audi Sport), Race 1 third position



Mikel, you made a great start and managed the race really well for your second win of the season.



Mikel Azcona (BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse), Race 1 winner

Yes, thank you very much. I’m really happy. As you say, the start is very important in these races, especially at this track. Sector 2 is normally very difficult to overtake. I did my best from the start and tried to defend at T1 and T2 which is normally where all the overtakes happen. But in the end we had a fair battle in T1 and T2 and I took the inside which is the best position.

From this point I tried to manage sector 2 to make a gap. It’s always easier when you are in front and you have clear air, where you don’t have cars in front. In the end I tried to use this opportunity and it worked. No mistakes, tried to save the car in four wheels until the end of the race and I’m very happy. Thanks to the team, the car was working amazing and I have to say the front tyres were amazing.





What are your thoughts on the second race today?



Mikel Azcona (BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse), Race 1 winner

It’s going to be more difficult because we are starting P10 and we will be in the middle of everybody. I think we need to focus, try not to do any strange things, try to survive because reverse grids is where there is almost the most risk.


I feel confident for race two, to try to survive the first laps and then from this point obviously I will do my best to keep going into the top positions but we will see.





Yann, you said before the race how tough and hot that was going to be. It looks like you were right.



Yann Ehrlacher (Cyan Racing Lynk & Co), Race 1 second position


Tough race, yeah. We did a good start actually, but it was not enough to pass any cars into T1. Then the race was long so it was necessary to take all the risks in sector 1 and lap one. But it was all clean racing at that time, so it was really enjoyable. But we knew the race was long and we had to manage the tyre as good as possible.





We heard you were struggling with some vibration about mid-way through.





Yann Ehrlacher (Cyan Racing Lynk & Co), Race 1 second position

Yes, in the middle of the race I had vibration the same as Pau so I was a bit worried to DNF on another race on the tyre, but it lasted until the end.


I just backed off a little bit to save them and I saw that Nat was struggling a little bit, especially in a few corners, so in the last laps I decided, OK, I will allow myself one go at him and I took my chance and it was a clean overtake. It’s appreciable to race like this so thanks to Nat and that’s P2. I’m happy, it’s good points from yesterday so let’s move on.






The season is long, so I guess you are hoping consistency will be in your back pocket.


Yann Ehrlacher (Cyan Racing Lynk & Co), Race 1 second position

Yes, sure the season is really long and it’s always important to score points every time you are on track and to avoid the troubles. That will be the target to the end. We are here to deliver the best work we can and the rest is up to everyone. Let’s work from that.





Nath, a tricky race for you and frustrating to lose second place. Track limits was the theme of the race for you, wasn’t it?



Nathanaël Berthon (Comtoyou DHL Team Audi Sport), Race 1 third position


Well, it was a tough race. It was hot, also difficult with the tyres to manage them. I don’t know why. From lap two already there were some corners where I was really struggling, as Yann said. I saw he was really fast in those corners, and in other corners I was really strong with the front axle. A bit frustrating honestly to lose a position, to lose a P2 and some important points.


In the meantime, we are there, we are on the podium. OK, fighting for the win was impossible today, Azcona was too fast. I tried at the beginning, at T2 I tried. But it was tough and then after that he was just flying. Pretty much happy at the end because it was very difficult for me, a tough race.






Your thoughts ahead of Race 2?



Nathanaël Berthon (Comtoyou DHL Team Audi Sport), Race 1 third position


Let’s see. A good start and maybe we’ll learn a little bit from this race and try to pick up some points.





 Richard Rodgers, photos WTCR