Rob Huff will return to the FIA World Touring Car Cup this year, racing a CUPRA Leon Competición with Zengő Motorsport after a year away from the series in 2020.
Huff, a mainstay of World Touring Cars since 2005, missed the top level of touring car racing last year after Volkswagen Motorsport, with whom Huff raced in 2018 and 2019, elected not to continue in WTCR.
Instead, the Brit raced in the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship, where he won the title and became the first non-Nordic driver to lift the crown since 2002.
Huff’s team-mates will be the experienced Jordi Gené, Mikel Azcona and young Hungarian Bence Boldizs.
“I’m really happy to be back in WTCR and with Zengő Motorsport, a team I’ve known for a long while,” Huff.
“I know the CUPRA is a competitive car. It shares some of the underpinnings with the Volkswagen I was helping to develop two years ago, and I also spent most of last year fighting against it in Sweden, so it’ll be great to be behind the wheel of one instead.
“Driving for a Hungarian team will also be special. I’ve always had a great reception and following from the fans in Hungary.
“It’s nice to link that up and now be driving for the country’s major racing team.”
The 2012 World Touring Car Champion returns to race a CUPRA, marking his return to the SEAT brand since 2013, when Huff raced an independent SEAT León for Münnich Motorsport.
Huff also has special memories of racing with the Spanish marque, which helped to launch his touring car career when he won the SEAT Cupra Championship in 2003, before racing in the British Touring Car Championship with the brand in 2004.
“It’s also great to be back with CUPRA. They launched my career in the UK, and the new car is absolutely a title contender.
“We know it’ll be tough as it’s not as though the other manufacturers aren’t bringing their A-game either. Our aim will be to do our best and hope to be there with a chance at the end of the season.
“The golden ticket for me at the end is a chance to build on my tally in Macau − with a car we know will be able to take us to victory − and add to my ten wins at the toughest track in the world.”
Team Principal Zoltán Zengő explains that the team is targeting its most ambitious season yet with its eyes on the top prize.
“I am very happy that we can welcome a world champion to our team,” said Zengő. “I hope it is clear to anyone that in the last couple of months we were not speaking nonsense!
“Our goal is to win the Drivers’ and Team’s titles. Our team combines youth and experience, and we believe this combo will bring us success.
“I would like to thank everyone who believes in us, and I would like to say thank you to Eurosport Events and CUPRA.
“Everyone is welcome on our side who is willing to support us to create history together.”