PWR Racing has revealed its two drivers for the 2019 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), with Swede Daniel Häglof being joined by Spaniard and reigning TCR Europe champion Mikel Azcona.
Azcona, 22, lifted the 2018 TCR Europe title in a PCR Sport-entered CUPRA, proving to be consistently at the front of the field after taking the title despite only claiming one race victory.
Team co-owner Häglof, meanwhile, has enjoyed success racing in the Swedish / Scandinavian Touring Car Championship in recent years, with the 40-year-old claiming two victories in the 2018 STCC to take his tally to six outright STCC wins out of seven season of competing in touring cars.
The announcement of Häglof and Azcone completes the full-season grid of 26 drivers in WTCR, but further wildcard entries are permitted on a round-by-round basis.
“I’m really looking forward to be competing on an international level again,” said Häglof. “I’m driving against the very best in this category of racing. To be doing it with the team that me and Poker have built together is a huge achievement.
“My team-mate Mikel is a really promising driver who aligns very well with PWR Racing’s ambition to aid young talent in their racing careers. I think we’ll put on a great show and achieve good results this year.”
Azcona, who will continue his rivalry with Attila Tassi this year, is looking forward to stepping up to WTCR, with the Spaniard also able to continue his association with Spanish car marque CUPRA.
“I feel super-happy and proud to join PWR and CUPRA Racing in the WTCR,” said Azcona. “It’s going to be an exciting season full of great challenges.
“I look forward to the hard work in front of me, to be competitive in this tough field full of world champions. Lastly I want to thank PWR and CUPRA Racing for believing in me as a driver.”
Head of CUPRA Racing, Jaime Puig, believes that the PWR Racing line-up will be a strong force in the coming season, with the duo joining Comtoyou Racing’s Aurélien Panis and Tom Coronel in the Spanish cars.
“[Azcona’s] performance last year is proof of his skills and personality,” added Puig. “He has taken his youthfulness as an asset, and he has taken a good decision by pairing with a driver like Daniel Haglöf.
“I expect the best from both Mikel, Daniel and the PWR Racing team this season in WTCR.”