Tarquini, Oriola Hoping for ETCR Involvement

Photo: TCR

FIA WTCR champion Gabriele Tarquini and race winner Pepe Oriola have expressed their desire to be involved in Hyundai and Cupra’s ETCR programs.

Both drivers compete for brands which have committed to ETCR, with Oriola signed to Cupra, which has been part of ETCR since its announcement, and Tarquini driving for Hyundai.

E-racing365 broke the news last month that Hyundai has committed to building cars for ETCR, which will get underway with a global championship in 2020, by retrofitting its new-for-2019 Veloster N TCR.

“I’m proud to be a member of the Hyundai racing family and will do my best to help them to win again,” said Tarquini.

“I dream this will mean I will be involved in the ETCR program too. I am fascinated by this new project and if they ask, I’m ready!

“You know, at my age every new challenge is a boost for the motivations.”

Hyundai recently confirmed that Tarquini would return to its FIA WTCR lineup for the upcoming season.

Oriola, who scored seven podiums en route to sixth in the championship this season, echoed Tarquini’s thoughts and hopes to drive SEAT’s Cupra e-Racer in 2019.

“I want to fight to become world champion and I’m already working to continue with Cupra in 2019,” he said.

“I also think that the Cupra e-Racer is going to be a talking point in the new ETCR. I hope to have the chance to test it next year.

“Competing in an electrical championship? I’m open to any possibilities in the world of touring cars and, of course, with electrical powertrains.”

Cupra and Hyundai are the two brands currently publicly committed to ETCR, and are set to continue developing and testing their electric touring cars in 2019, ahead of the series debut in 2020.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.