The series, which featured fierce competition across multiple continents, culminated in a dramatic final race where Norbert Michelisz emerged as the champion, securing his second consecutive World Tour title.
Kumho’s involvement in the championship was more than just as a sponsor – it was a partnership that showcased the performance and durability of Kumho tires under extreme racing conditions.
The company’s high-performance ECSTA S700 (dry) and W701 (wet) racing tires played a crucial role in the success of the competitors, as they tackled the varied and often unpredictable conditions of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, including the challenging race at Macau.
The season finale, which took place at the famous Guia Circuit, was nothing short of dramatic. Thed Björk, driving for Lynk & Co Cyan Racing, had a strong start, taking pole position and winning Race 1 in dominant fashion, reducing Hungarian Michelisz’s lead in the championship from 19 points to just five.
However, the first race was marred by an incident involving Esteban Guerrieri, who caused a pile-up on the opening lap, ending his hopes for the title and bringing out thered flag.
Sunday’s race began under heavy rain, causing a delay, but when the weather cleared, it set the stage for one of the most exciting finishes of the season. After the safety car led the field, Dušan Borković, racing for GOAT Racing, made a bold decision to run slick tires, a gamble that paid off with a maiden World Tour victory.
Esteban Guerrieri and Marco Butti completed the podium in a sensational 1-2-3 finish for the team. Despite the chaos behind him, Michelisz held his ground, finishing fifth in the race to secure the 2024 title by 11 points over Björk, with his BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse teammate Mikel Azcona placing third in the final standings.
Michelisz was officially crowned the 2024 champion of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour during the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city.
Michelisz reflected on his victory, saying: “I need to say a huge thanks to my team and to my teammates Mikel and Néstor. I think that this was a season in which, from the first moment, we did not put a foot wrong. I scored in every single race, and the team worked perfectly in every event. I know that since my first years in racing, if you have an efficient team, you have a good chance to fight for the championship, so I am incredibly grateful because without them I would not be here today.”
Richard Lyons, Managing Director of Kumho Tyre UK, said: “The 2024 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour has been an exhilarating ride from start to finish. The level of competition has been extraordinary, and we are incredibly proud to have supported this championship. Congratulations to Norbert Michelisz for his well-deserved title win – his consistency and resilience have been outstanding throughout the season.
“At Kumho, we are committed to ensuring that our tires perform at the highest level, and this championship has been the perfect showcase for their durability and performance under the toughest conditions.”
With Michelisz crowned champion and the season complete, Kumho Tire looks forward to continuing its partnership with the TCR World Tour in the future, contributing to the growth of motorsport and the development of tires that push the boundaries of performance.