It was non-stop action for the second round of the 2022 FIA ETCR eTouring Car World Cup, with Race HU getting underway at the Hungaroring on Saturday

While qualifying delivered blistering pace from the FIA ETCR drivers, topped by CUPRA EKS driver Mattias Ekström in both Pool FAST Qualifying sessions, and team-mate Adrien Tambay in both Pool FURIOUS Qualifying sessions, it is the Quarter Finals that gave the Hungarian crowd battles to cheer for.

As temperatures soared and racing got underway, Pool FAST pole-setter Ekström lost his lead to former team-mate Mikel Azcona (now driving for Hyundai Motorport N) in Quarter Final 1, before a last-minute charge from the Swede saw him regain the top spot just in time for the chequered flag. Hyundai Motorsport N’s Kevin Ceccon was left with third place after running wide at the first corner.

Quarter Final 2 saw Romeo Ferraris’ Giovanni Venturini make a great start from pole, though it was team-mate Maxime Martin who took the lead and stayed put until the chequered flag. Venturini and CUPRA EKS’ Jordi Gené delivered most of the action, putting in brilliant moves against one another throughout lap 2 and 3. Venturi took second place, with Gené close behind in third.

The Pool FURIOUS Quarter Finals drivers did their best to deliver even more on-track action, with CUPRA EKS’ Adrien Tambay, team-mate Tom Blomqvist and Romeo Ferraris’ Bruno Spengler battling hard throughout the 3-lap QF1. It was Spengler that took the win, after Tambay and Blomqvist made contact and spun. Tambay finished second while Blomqvist was unable to complete the final lap.

Pool FURIOUS Quarter Final 2 saw Hyundai Motorsport N’s Jean Karl Vernay lead from start to finish, with Romeo Ferraris’ Luca Filippi and local hero Norbert Michelisz delivering thrilling moves until the very end. Filippi finished second, with Hyundai’s Motorsport N’s Michelisz taking third.

Today’s strong showing from Ekström ensures the CUPRA EKS driver collects maximum points from Pool FAST, while Spengler leads Pool FURIOUS ahead of tomorrow’s racing. Ekström remains in the lead overall, now tallying 135 points, with team-mate Tambay close behind on 122 points.

The FIA ETCR RACE HU continues Sunday with the Semi Finals and the DHL Super Finals, all to find out who will be King of the Weekend.

Pool FAST points:

1. Ekström             35
2. Azcona               27
3. Ceccon               19
4. Martin                18
5. Venturini           16

Pool FAST Semi Final 1 grid:

1. Ekström
2. Azcona
3. Martin

Pool FAST Semi Final 2 grid

1. Ceccon
2. Venturini
3. Gené

Pool FURIOUS points:

1. Spengler          32
2. Tambay           30
3. Vernay            21
4. Filippi               10
5. Blomqvist        9
6. Michelisz         8

Pool FURIOUS Semi Final 1 grid:

1. Spengler
2. Tambay
3. Vernay

Pool Semi Final 2 grid:

1. Blomqvist
2. Filippi
3. Michelisz