Farfus and Catsburg join the Hyundai fold for 2019

The Hyundai clan in WTCR will see the reinforcement in 2019 of Augusto Farfus and Nicky Catsburg. The two drivers from the BMW fold will meet the champion Gabriele Tarquini and Norbert Michelisz who are extending their adventure in the Korean fold.

Published on 03/12/2018 à 10:25

⁰ View comments)

Farfus and Catsburg join the Hyundai fold for 2019

Gabriele Tarquini and Norbert Michelisz, principaux pilotes du giron Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing en WTCR en 2018 avec Yvan Muller et Thed Björk, seront épaulés par deux renforts de poids en 2019 pour défendre les intérêts de la firme coréenne.

The Brazilian Augusto Farfus and the Dutch Nicky Catsburg, both from the BMW fold in GT / DTM, will join the Hyundai clan next year. However, the brand has not yet confirmed in which client structures the four pilots will operate. 2018 saw Muller Racing, titled among the Teams, and the BRC Racing Team enter i30 TCRs.

It will be a return to roots for Farfus, present in WTCC in the 2000s, before turning to GT and DTM with BMW. Nicky Catsburg, GT specialist with the Munich brand, for his part competed in the final years of the WTCC with Lada then Cyan Racing

“It will be a new challenge for me, as I have never driven a TCR car before, underlines Farfus, who also thanks BMW for authorizing him to carry out this parallel program. In fact, the last time I drove a front-wheel drive was in 2006.

..I will be taking part with a Hyundai i30 N TCR in the @fia_wtcr Championship!!!
I want to thank you @BMW for allowing me to do this parallel program. All I want is to drive winning cars and win races!
2019 is going to be an amazing season! pic.twitter.com/WgjPr3zxoT

— Augusto Farfus (@augustofarfus) December 3, 2018

I am excited to be able to work for the Hyundai Motorsport customer teams to ensure that I and the other drivers start the new season at the best possible pace. »

“I attended most of the 2018 FIA WTCR races and I can't deny that I really wanted to be part of it in 2019, recognizes Catsburg for his part. I have already worked with Gabriele, Augusto and Norbi, who I know well from my time in the WTCC.

Honestly, I can't wait to work with them next year. I haven't driven a TCR car yet, but Gabriele just won the championship, so I'm sure he'll get me up to speed quickly! »

Remember that Yvan Muller and Thed BjOrk, who drove i30 TCr this year, will move to the Cyan Racing clan, with the new Lynk & Co 03s.