Nicola Baldan will make his second appearance on the TCR Europe grid this weekend, as the Italian continues to race a Hyundai i30 N TCR for the Hungarian M1RA team, following their first cooperation last weekend in TCR Italy.
Baldan was almost forced to miss last weekend’s TCR Italy races at Vallelunga, after his original Pit Lane Competizioni-run Hyundai was written off in a bizarre accident with Eric Scalvini on the warm-up lap at Imola.
But a late deal with M1RA enabled Baldan, who had also broken his collarbone in the shunt in mid-July, to contest the races at Vallelunga, where he finished sixth in race one and 15th in race two.
The driver and team will continue their cooperation in this weekend’s TCR Europe races at Monza, marking the second time this year that the 36-year-old has competed in the TCR Europe field.
“Despite that the Vallelunga races did not end the way we wanted, we are happy to continue with Nicola in TCR Europe as well,” said M1RA Team Principal Dávid Bári. “He is a fast driver and with his experience of the Monza track he can give valuable contribution to the team this weekend.”
Baldan will use the additional seat time as preparation for the TCR Italy event at Monza, which takes place just two weeks later at the circuit near Milan.
“The M1RA people gave me a big help in Vallelunga last weekend, allowing me to be competitive despite I wasn’t at my hundred per cent yet,” said Baldan.
“The level of the European series is so high, but I know I am in the right place at the right time. I can’t wait to seat back into my car to face this new challenge.”