Norbert Michelisz surges to second in TCR standings

Norbert Michelisz surged to second place in the TCR World Tour standings after securing three podium finishes during a challenging race weekend at the Zhejiang Circuit in China, closing the gap on championship leader Mikel Azcona to 33 points. Michelisz won the qualifying session for the Chinese round before claiming three second-place finishes across the three races.

Rain and Tire Strategy Shape the Opening Race at Zhejiang

The weekend opened with a wet track that forced drivers into critical tire decisions. While BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse teammate Mikel Azcona opted for mixed compounds with slicks on the front and rain tires on the rear, Michelisz made a last-minute switch to a full wet setup, a choice that ultimately paid off. Jean-Karl Vernay initially grabbed the lead from pole-sitter Diego Moran as the lights went out, while Michelisz recovered from a ninth-place start and an early contact with Santiago Urrutia to move through the field. Aurélien Comte charged into the lead by the fifth lap, crossing the finish line more than eight seconds ahead of Michelisz. Björk took third, and Michelisz’s steady climb secured vital championship points as Azcona struggled to a 14th-place finish on mixed rubber. In the opening race, Azcona started from pole position after securing the spot in the wet qualifying session, while Michelisz had started from ninth place and slipped back at the start before fighting his way past the Geely cars to secure a one-two finish for Hyundai alongside Azcona, with Urrutia finishing fifth and Ma Qinghua taking fourth.

Grid Order Sets Up a Dominant Charge in the Second Race

Starting ninth on a partly reversed grid for the second outing, Michelisz cut through the pack with precision. Moran had started from pole, but the shifting grip levels shuffled the order as risk-taking drivers on slick tires dropped down the timing sheets. Michelisz steadily advanced, overtaking Moran and Lo Sze Ho before picking off Vernay and Björk. Comte claimed another victory, but Michelisz secured second place ahead of Björk, Vernay, and Urrutia. Azcona finished 14th again, allowing both Michelisz and Urrutia to claw back crucial ground in the overall points race, as reported in race-day coverage. The second row for this race was shared by Lo Sze Ho and Thed Björk, while the third row featured Aurélien Comte and Yann Ehrlacher, with Santiago Urrutia starting eighth and Mikel Azcona tenth.

Hyundai Secures a One-Two Finish as Title Contenders Collide

Michelisz lost ground at the start to Urrutia and Azcona, while Comte went wide at turn three and made contact with Vernay upon rejoining the racing line. The resulting crash sent Vernay spinning into the gravel trap and forced a safety car intervention, while Comte received a drive-through penalty. Once racing resumed, Azcona pressured Urrutia into losing the lead on lap seven, and Urrutia later suffered a mechanical issue that forced a pit stop, dropping him to tenth. Michelisz fended off persistent attacks from Thed Björk and the Geely Cyan Racing entries to preserve a Hyundai one-two finish, crossing the line 1.3 seconds behind Azcona. The starting grid for this final race featured Comte and Azcona on the second row, followed by Björk and Vernay on the third row.

The Championship Battle Moves to Macau

Following the Zhejiang rounds, Mikel Azcona leads the individual standings with 445 points for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse. Norbert Michelisz sits second with 412 points, while Santiago Urrutia holds third with 406 points following his late-race troubles in China. With a maximum of 75 points available at the upcoming season-ending event in Macau, only Azcona, Michelisz, and Urrutia remain mathematically eligible for the world title. The Macau season-ending race weekend is scheduled to be held from November 19 to 22.