Last year marked the beginning of a new history for the series, as it was renamed from Pure ETCR to FIA ETCR eTouring Car World Cup. This category was born from its predecessor, obtaining the status of World Cup endorsed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), placing on the tracks more powerful cars that reached 500 KW of power.

Thus, this chapter of the competition kicked off in Pau Ville for the Infinite Reality Race FR, where all drivers raced with the same Goodyear tires, while the electric power refueling process for all cars was provided by Hyundai Motor Company and its HTWO dual fuel cell hydrogen generators.

Related content:Xavier Gavory on Cupra’s Impact on FIA ETCR: “It All Started with Them”

New Format

Mattias Ekstrom, Jordi Gené, Adrien Tambay and Tom Blomqvist (Cupra EKS), Nicky Catsburg, Kevin Ceccon, Norbert Michelizs, Jean-Karl Vernay (Hyundai Motorsport), Giovanni Venturini, Maxime Martin, Bruno Spengler and Luca Fillipi made up the official grid for the 2022 season.

Two qualifying sessions were held on Saturday, starting at ten-second intervals in a sequence determined by random draw for Q1 and then the order of finish from Q1 to Q2. On the other hand, the drivers were divided into two groups: Pool FAST and Pool FURIOUS with a three-way battle for semifinals and quarterfinals.

The best times earned the right to the starting order on the grid for the quarterfinals, passing through the semifinals before leaving it all to the DHL Super Finals, with six cars on track. There, all drivers advanced to each subsequent Final and raced according to the finishing order of the previous battle.

Finally, the driver who earned the most points in the quarterfinals, semifinals and DHL Super Finals was crowned King of the weekend. For the 2022 season, the overall champion was Adrien Tambay of Cupra EKS.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post What FIA ETCR Left Behind for the 2022 Season appeared first on Green Racing News.

However, in the words of Xavier Gavory, Series Director, racing under the Pure ETCR format was more about a test season. “It was a fitting launch pad towards a bright future. I am particularly proud of the fact that we managed to keep our DNA, to be different and daring,” he assured.

Of course, he highlighted the commitment to sustainability as a core element of the series. “We serve the sport right through a different race format with short and sharp battles, plus a much more sustainable approach,” he emphasized.

Related content:FIA ETCR Seals Multi-Year Contract with Turkey to Race in Istanbul

FIA ETCR 2022

The category is barely two years old counting the previous format. There is still a long way to go, although, it brings with it all the necessary elements to establish itself as one of the most attractive touring divisions in motorsport, with the added advantage of being aligned with electrification going forward.

“FIA ETCR is still young, but it is getting stronger despite the challenges along the way. The most important element is the fact that we are stepping up and building momentum to become an FIA World Cup represents a big step forward,” Gavory noted.

“On the track, the action was phenomenal with so many different scenarios in our race format. We saw photo finishes, teammates crashing into each other, drivers talking directly to their rivals while still on the track to express their opinions, team tactics and dramatic moments off the track,” he finished.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post Xavier Gavory Offered Impressions after the First Season of FIA ETCR appeared first on Green Racing News.

In this way, the Italian team scored its first victory in 2022 thanks to the precise driving of Martin, who was impeccable from start to finish and never gave in to the rival pressure generated by Hyundai Motorsport N’s Mikel Azcona of Spain and the Swedish and reigning champion of the category, Mattias Ekström of Cupra EKS.

“It’s the first time for me, but it’s a perfect weekend. My whole family is here, but to have a comeback like this after the problem we had on Friday is unbelievable. We got maximum points, and it was great to do it at my home race. Everyone was cheering, the team, the fans, my family and friends and the stewards as well,” Martin said after the win.

Related content: FIA ETCR Seals Multi-Year Contract with Turkey to Race in Istanbul

Maxime’s victory has caused changes in the drivers’ standings, where Adrien Tambay has taken the lead after registering 363 points, displacing Mattias Ekström to second place with 342 units, followed by Maxime Martin with 300 points and possible new threat for the definition of the championship. On the other hand, the teams’ table continues with Cupra EKS in the lead (725), Romeo Ferraris (523) and Hyundai Motorsport N (473).

The next race will be in Vallelunga, Italy, from July 22 to 24, where the Belgian driver assured that it will also be a special competition, since it will be held at Romeo Ferraris’ home, the colors he defends in FIA ETCR. Then, the campaign will close in Istanbul, Turkey, where it will be known if the Swedish Cupra driver will repeat the crown or we will be facing a new monarch.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post FIA ETCR: Maxime Martin Crowned King of the Weekend in Belgium appeared first on Green Racing News.

The Swede is the defending champion of the series, and he also stood out in round 2 at the Hungaroring, Hungary, and is in second place in the overall drivers’ championship with 180 points, only two points behind the leader, Adrien Tambay, who also races under Cupra’s colors.

In Pau, the first meeting of the year, three Cupra drivers took the podium, demonstrating the power of the organization in the championship. In fact, in the general table of teams they are positioned in the first place with 362 points, with a 90-unit advantage over Romeo Ferraris (272).

Related content: FIA ETCR will have massive worldwide broadcasting

Given the great dominance shown in just two races, Cupra has everything in favor to get a good result at the Jarama Circuit, with the additive of competing at home since the team’s structure is located in Spain. “After a great turn in Hungarorging, where I was able to share the podium with Mattias Ekström, I can’t wait to get to Jarama,” said Tambay.

However, for the reigning FIA ETCR champion, things are not as easy as they seem. Ekström assures that they must be 100% focused to not allow mistakes, as their rivals continue to grow race after race, complicating the situation for Cupra on track.

“The pressure is building up as the other teams get better and better each race. We have to keep our focus, it’s home race week and we expect nothing but good results and hopefully some podiums,” Mattias said.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post Cupra Expects to Dominate Jarama Circuit in FIA ETCR’s Third Race appeared first on Green Racing News.

In the first race of 2022 at the beginning of May in Pau, the Swedish driver was solid, as he was throughout the previous campaign that led him to proclaim himself as Absolute King of the series. For this reason, Xavi Serra, Head of Technical Development at CUPRA Racing, hopes to compete again at the same level to win the team championship.

There, three CUPRA Racing cars finished in the top four, which gave a sense of confidence for the 2022 season. However, there is still a long way to go, although the sensations extracted from the French circuit place the organization as a favorite for the title.

Related content: FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup 2022 (Pure ETCR) Calendar in Detail

“I must say that it was a result we didn’t expect, because this year the ETCR grid is incredible, with drivers and teams of great level, all of them winners. Despite this we had a lot of confidence in us because our new drivers (Adrien Tambay and Tom Blomqvist) had shown a very good adaptation in testing, which they managed to transfer to the first race.”

Although the season is young, for Xavi Sierra and the rest of CUPRA Racing the vision is quite specific. “We have it very clear: we go out to win again. We are aware of the difficulty of the challenge, which is even greater than last year, but we always go out to win.”

On the other hand, Mattias Ekström was happy to make his debut on the right foot, knowing that the rest of the team also has a strong competitive pace to ensure a good battle in both championships.

“A dream result finishing 1,2,3 in our first weekend with CUPRA. Adrien and Tom also did a perfect job all weekend. There can only be one winner for sure and I’m happy it’s me. But I’m also happy for the others to take maximum points, that would put us in a strong position to start the season like this.”

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post FIA ETCR: CUPRA Racing Expects to Repeat the Title Won in 2021 appeared first on Green Racing News.

The best drivers of the competition will have a fixed date in Turkey until 2024. In the midst of the electrification boom in motorsports, FIA ETCR is committed to give its best in every place it visits, and Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the favorite venues for this.

On the other hand, Turkey also has big plans at a sustainable level. By 2030, the goal is to manufacture and export more than 1 million electrified vehicles, clearly aiming to reduce carbon emissions and become one of the most important green cities in the world, and there, Pure ETCR will play a key role promoting cars, sport, speed and sustainability.

Related content: FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup 2022 (Pure ETCR) Schedule in Detail

Regarding this season’s competition, FIA ETCR will visit Turkey from May 20-22 to race on the Istanbul Park track, a circuit renowned for hosting the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix. However, for 2023 and 2024 the action will move to a new, all-street circuit located in Beyoğlu.

“Istanbul is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, combining its history as the center of many world cultures with modern dynamism and permanent transformation. As Discovery Sports Events (promoter of FIA ETCR), we are pleased to organize the FIA ETCR eTouring Car World Cup,” said Xavier Gavory, Category Director.

Over the next three years, the goal of the 100% electric touring car division will be to elevate the competition’s status, as well as lend a hand to Istanbul regarding its sustainable plans. “Our intention is to help the city demonstrate the mind-blowing power and spectacle of electric cars,” Gavory finished.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post FIA ETCR Seals Multi-Year Contract with Turkey to Run in Istanbul appeared first on Green Racing News.

For 2022, the competition will be called FIA ETCR-eTouring Car World Cup, in order to establish itself as a global event with the endorsement from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

The FIA Touring Car Commission and the governing body’s World Motor Sports Council approved a series of innovations to the sports regulations for the 2022 season, in order to increase the audience and reach a younger public.

Read also: The Sustainable Legacy of Jean Todt to World Motorsport

Francois Ribeiro, Head of Discovery Sports Events, promoter of the eTouring Car World Cup, assured that this evolution means a big step forward for electric touring car racing, given that with the support of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, they hope to reach all corners of the world.

“The FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup will give electric mobility an even greater representation and within a recognizable sporting framework worldwide. With visits to Pau (France) and Istanbul to kick off the season, we can not only showcase the amazing performance of electric cars to fans on one of the world’s most iconic street circuits, but also introduce a large new audience to the concept,” he noted.

Schedule Unveiled

The competition will feature seven exciting races that promise a high-level motorsport spectacle, along with a sustainability strategy to do its part for the environment.

The schedule prepared by the series promoter, Discovery Sports Events, was also endorsed by the FIA Touring Car Commission and approved by the World Motor Sports Council in Paris. It is the first time that all-electric touring car drivers and manufacturers will compete for world titles.

The tournament will start on May 6 in Pau-Ville, France; on May 20, it will move to Turkey, and the next stages will be Hungary, Spain, Belgium, Italy and South Korea, where the grand finale will be held.

Alan Gow, Chairman of the FIA Touring Car Commission, described the announcement of the competition’s first calendar as a milestone. “We believe this new concept will be attractive and relevant to manufacturers, with a sustainable seven-day schedule as a good starting point. The calendar represents a good mix of established classic circuits with new locations, including street tracks.”

Sustainability as a Trademark

With most of the calendar focused on Europe, road transport will be used wherever possible, while travelling to the Asian finale at the Inje Speedium in South Korea will be by sea transport, with 90 percent CO2 emissions compared to the equivalent journey by air. 

The presence of HTWO’s hydrogen generators at the power station means that the only by-product of the refueling process is water, while Goodyear’s all-weather racing tire means that fewer units must be produced, transported and disposed of, again reducing the impact on environmental reductions. In addition, FIA ETCR will continue to work with sustainability partners to capture and reduce the environmental impact of the series across all countries visited.

With this announcement, FIA ratifies their commitment to fighting pollution and fossil fuel use, after also giving a World Championship label to Formula E, an electric single-seater series, in 2021.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post PURE-ETCR Achieves Global Championship Status and Becomes FIA ETCR-eTouring Car World Cup appeared first on Green Racing News.