Target Competition has confirmed its driver line-up for this year’s TCR Europe, with 2019 champion Josh Files returning to the South Tyrol team alongside Italians Nicola Baldan and Felice Jelmini.
Files last raced in TCR Europe in 2019, when he was at the wheel of a Hyundai i30 N TCR run by the team. In his second year in the series, the Brit clinched the overall title, having claimed three victories.
Since then, 31-year-old Files only had sporadic outings in TCR Malaysia and the FIA World Touring Car Cup in 2020, followed by no TCR racing at all last year.
“I’m super happy to be part of this year’s TCR Europe programme with Hyundai and even happier that I’m back with Target, a team I’ve had a lot of success with,” said Files, who is also a two-time TCR Germany champion with the team.
“This year we will be pushing as hard as we can for the title and I can’t wait to start things off in Portugal in a few weeks’ time.”
Baldan, 39, first worked with the team in TCR Italy last year, where he was a title contender but ultimately finished fourth overall in a Hyundai i30 N TCR.
The 2017 TCR Italy champion made his TCR Europe début with selected events in 2018, primarily supporting his TCR Italy campaign that year, and he returned to the series in a one-off outing at Spa-Francorchamps in 2020.
“I am really happy to continue my experience in the TCR world with Target Competition and Hyundai Motorsport,” said Baldan.
“I am aware that I am in the right team and have a great opportunity. I will try to give my best and get the best results for me and for the team. I cannot wait to start!”
Felice Jelmini joins the team for 2022, the 26-year-old having raced in TCR Europe with Sébastien Loeb Racing last year, in a Hyundai Elantra N.
Although Jelmini has yet to claim a win in TCR Europe, in 2021 he was on the podium twice at Circuit Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps, finishing second at the former.
“I’m really happy to take part in TCR Europe again for the upcoming racing season,” said Jelmini. “I’m even happier because this year I will join Target Competition, one of the best and most successful teams in recent years in Touring Car racing.
“I’ll again drive the awesome Hyundai Elantra N TCR and I will share the box with two very fast drivers, Josh Files and Nicola Baldan.
“I want to thank Andreas Gummerer [Joint Team Principal] and the entire team and, of course, Hyundai Motorsport for renewing their support of me. See you in Portimão in a couple of weeks!”