WTCR champion Mikel Azcona: “Even with a 60-point lead, we’re nervous”

Even before competing in the last two races of the 2022 World Touring Car Cup season (WTCR) in Saudi Arabia, Mikel Azcona (Hyundai) secured the Drivers' title, the last in the history of the championship, from qualifying where points are awarded to the 5 fastest according to the following scale: 10-8-6-4-2.

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The Navarrese was the strong man of the year, signing four victories and 10 podiums. Transferred from Cupra to Hyundai with the BRC Racing Team, the 26-year-old driver benefited from expertise and a high-quality working atmosphere in the Italian team. “The situation has been very intense throughout the season, but in a positive way from the first round in Pauhe explained.

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I have to say thank you to Norbi (Michelisz, 2019 WTCR champion. Editor’s note) also for this great season spent working together. He is a fantastic teammate and friend. Having that kind of person around you is incredible. I have to say, with people like that around you, good things happen and I owe them this trophy. So thank you to Hyundai Motorsport and BRC. Now I'm champion and it's a fantastic feeling. I have to thank my family, my girlfriend, everyone who constantly supports me, which is to say a lot of people. »

Mikel Azcona is a pure product of Tourism. After participating in the Seat Léon Eurocup and the Audi Sport TT Cup, he moved to the new TCR Europe in 2018, which he won in style (1 victory, 5 podiums) in a Seat. Sixth in the WTCR in 2019, seventh in 2020 and 2021, he reached a milestone by joining Hyundai.

Mr Azcona arrived in WTCR in 2019 with Cupra. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

“I am sure that right now, in my village (Arrigorriaga), they look at me. There are not that many, because there are only 2000 of us, continues. But they definitely look at me. I am very happy and very proud. Now we have to celebrate and enjoy it with the whole team, in addition to focusing on tomorrow's races (Sunday), because we need points in the constructors' standings and I will try to work for Norbi too since he is trying to gain some positions in the championship. It's incredible. Honestly, at this moment, I can't find the words. »

Leader of the general classification for many months, Mikel Azcona had to deal with the pressure of being the target of all the other drivers in the field. “Of course I was very nervous during the two rounds in Bahrain, I must say. We knew we were leading the championship, but we also knew the Hondas were fast and the Audis too, so I was very worried.

All summer, I had been preparing for this moment. But I didn't think it would be very easy, I must say. So it's true, Bahrain was the best weekend so far, mainly because we had another car since Nicky (Catsburg) was with us. He and Norbi helped me a lot. It's been my best weekend yet, with 59 points scored, and a fantastic weekend indeed. It's always good to arrive early for the last round of the championship.

But even with a 60 lead, you're obviously nervous, you don't want to finish second. As a driver, you want to win. Even though I had this good lead, I was a little nervous. Now I'm more relaxed, it's so different. But there are lots of different feelings throughout the weekend: stress, joy, all mixed together at the same time. Now for sure, I'm more relaxed and I'm going to enjoy the rest of the weekend. »