Filippi joins Vernay with Hyundai in Pure ETCR

Its place of runner-up won in TCR Europe in 2020 n’a pas été ignorée par Hyundai Motorsport. Le Corse John Filippi a décroché une place dans le programme inédit en Pure ETCR, la nouvelle discipline de Tourisme électrique.

The 26-year-old driver thus joins the experienced Augusto Farfus and Jean-Karl Vernay, in charge of the development of the Veloster N ETCR for many months. The fourth man in the group will be the Englishman Tom Chilton, who completed the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) with Ford then Sébastien Loeb Racing.

“Even though I drove a Hyundai TCR last season, the move to the Pure ETCR with the Veloster N ETCR remains a big change for me, explains the Frenchman. I know it will be a challenge, but it’s something I’m looking forward to. My first priority is to get used to the car during pre-season testing. Everything will be new – new car, new team and a completely new format for the race weekends. »

John Filippi is starting in electric competition at an ideal time according to him. “It will be the first season of a new championship, everyone will be in the same situation. As a driver, it's an exciting position and a great opportunity to show what you can do. I'm sure it will be a very competitive series. It should be a great season. »

His compatriot Jean-Karl Vernay will have the advantage of better control of his new car. The Lyonnais carried out several test sessions this winter with the electric Veloster. “It will be a very busy season for me as a Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing driver – but I couldn’t be happier about it.

The Hyundai Veloster N ETCR and the car that I will drive in the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) are very different, as is the discipline itself, but I don't think that's a problem. Maybe it will even help – for example, in short Pure ETCR races you will need to be very incisive in your overtaking, and I hope this skill will help me in WTCR as well.

Thanks to my role as development driver for the ETCR project I already have some experience with the car but now I am confirmed as a member of the racing team for the season I can fully concentrate on testing remaining to be able to win at Vallelunga. »

The season will begin in Italy from June 18 to 20 near Rome, on the Vallelunga circuit. Two other manufacturers will participate, Cupra and Romeo Ferraris.