Néstor Girolami will join Hyundai Motorsport for the 2024 FIA TCR World Tour, marking an expanded three-car campaign for the South Korean manufacturer.
For the Argentine, it marks the end of a five-year association with JAS Motorsport and Honda. Girolami’s first appearance in Honda TCR machinery came in 2019 when he raced in the FIA World Touring Car Cup for Münnich Motorsport. Since then, he has scored 12 wins for the manufacturer across three different series.
The 34-year-old will join reigning champion Norbert Michelisz and 2022 WTCR champion Mikel Azcona to race one of the team’s Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars for BRC Racing.
Girolami’s record has been impressive since he joined the top level of TCR racing in 2019, claiming seven World Touring Car wins and 16 podium finishes, with a best overall finish of runner-up to Azcona in 2022.
Last year, Girolami was the sole full-season representative for JAS and Honda in the TCR World Tour, where he worked to develop the new Honda Civic Type-R FL5 TCR for the marque. He ended the year fourth overall in the standings, having won one race on the streets of Villa Mercedes in Argentina.
Girolami will get his first taste of the Hyundai Elantra in testing in the coming days, before his competitive début at Vallelunga in the FIA TCR World Tour season opener on 20 – 21 April.
“I am extremely happy to be joining Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing and BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse for the 2024 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour season,” said Girolami.
“Moving to a new manufacturer and a new team is a fresh challenge in my career, but one I am very excited about.
“Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing and the team have had huge success in previous seasons, so there is some pressure, but I feel I will be able to fit straight into the team, and immediately compete for victories.
“The aim, of course, is to win the FIA TCR World Tour drivers’ title and be part of the push for the teams’ title together with Norbi and Mikel.
“I’m very thankful for the trust which Hyundai Motorsport and BRC Racing Team have shown to ask me to be part of their team this season. I can’t wait to start working together to get ready for Vallelunga.”
Hyundai Motorsport Circuit Racing Project Manager Julien Moncet admitted that Girolami had been a target for the team when trying to expand its entry. Although Hyundai and BRC will now enter three cars, the Lynk & Co Cyan Racing team is expected to continue with a larger entry of four cars.
“We’re delighted to have Néstor join as part of Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing for the new Kumho FIA TCR World Tour season,” said Moncet.
“His record and experience in TCR competition put him at the top of our list to increase our involvement in the series, and we know he will fit perfectly into the BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse team alongside Norbi and Mikel.
“The aim this year is to renew our challenge to win both the drivers’ and teams’ standings. We knew Norbi and Mikel are very capable of taking the individual crown, but the addition of Néstor gives us a third driver with talent to win the series, but also completes a superb team line-up to push for the title double again.”