Hyundai Motorsport Preview: PURE ETCR Round 4 - Hungaroring - Hyundai Motorsport is aiming to bounce back at the fourth round of the PURE ETCR season, as the series moves to the Hungaroring next weekend (August 20-22)
- The team is on a mission to secure its first overall victory at the event as it seeks to redouble its efforts in the championship battles
- Jean-Karl Vernay, Augusto Farfus, John Filippi and Tom Chilton will look to leverage their previous experience of racing at the Hungaroring as they hunt down the King of the Weekend title.
Hyundai Motorsport is hungry for success at the fourth round of the 2021 PURE ETCR season, due to take place next weekend (August 20-22) at the Hungaroring.
Hyundai Motorsport N is on a mission to secure its first overall victory in the penultimate round of the year at the iconic racing circuit. At the previous round in Copenhagen, Augusto Farfus and Jean-Karl Vernay both topped their respective Pools after the first two rounds with the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR, however the team failed to capitalise on its advantage on the final day.
Tom Chilton missed out on a well-earned haul of points after a puncture, caused by a sharp edge on the track, forced him to retire from his Super Final while running in second place. His team-mate John Filippi demonstrated promising pace early in the event, but struggled to return to form after an accident in a test session affected his confidence.
In the break between events, the team has identified areas for improvement as it seeks to redouble its efforts in the championship battle. With plenty of points-scoring opportunities in PURE ETCR, the team’s focus will be on closing the gap to the lead of the standings.
Drivers will have two Free Practice sessions on Friday 20 August to get up to speed at the Hungaroring ahead of the PURE ETCR draw that evening. This decides the Pools for the weekend, as well as the first Battle groups in Round 1, held on the morning of Saturday 21 August. The results determine the Round 2 Battles later that day. Round 3’s time trials on Sunday 22 August set the grids for each Pool’s Super Final.
Hyundai Motorsport Director of Marketing and PR, Stefan Ph. Henrich said: “Our team has been on a steep learning curve in PURE ETCR, and while we didn’t have the results we deserved or hoped for in Copenhagen, we will be seeking retribution next weekend in Hungary. We’re still hunting down our first overall victory, and all four of our drivers have shown they can be quick in the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR. The championship standings are as close as the on-track racing, but we need to be topping the classification in every Round of the final events of the season to regain lost ground.”
Jean-Karl Vernay said: “I definitely need to be strong in the next round of the PURE ETCR. If we have expectations of winning the championship, we need to focus on winning the weekend. So far I have only managed second and two fourths, and this is not the way we want to finish. We have to start taking overall victories and it has to happen in this next round. Fortunately, I really like this circuit and I hope to use my past successes to full advantage next weekend.”
Augusto Farfus said: “The Hungaroring is a great track. I have a lot of good memories and have won a few races there. I haven’t tested at the circuit with the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR, so it will be a whole new experience for me. I’m going to give it my all to bring home our first overall victory in PURE ETCR. I have been close to this goal in the past, so my focus has to be on scoring as many points as I can.”
John Filippi said: “I’m hoping my previous experience of racing at the Hungaroring will help me start the weekend on the front foot. I was disappointed I couldn’t show my full potential with the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR in Copenhagen, but I was able to demonstrate good pace in the free practice sessions. My target is for a strong weekend from start to finish; victories in the Battle Rounds will be crucial, as well as a good lap in the time trial to secure the best starting position in the Super Final.”
Tom Chilton said: “I love the Hungaroring. It’s a circuit where I have finished on the podium many times in world touring cars. We tested there with the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR car in both dry and wet conditions and I was really enjoying the track. We learned a lot, especially in the wet running with the car, so if it does rain I think we will be prepared. I always like going to Hungary and I can’t wait to race there again.” |
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