WTCR Hungaroring: Azcona claims first pole of 2022 for Hyundai

The Spaniard, who switched from Zengo Motorsport’s Cupra to BRC Squadra Corse for this season, ended up 0.128s faster than the Comtoyou Audi of Nathanaël Berthon. Reigning double champion Yann Ehrlacher was third in his Cyan Racing Lynk & Co.

Comtoyou Audi’s Gilles Magnus was a surprise fastest in Q2 after track limits violations had left him vulnerable to dropping out after Q1.

Then running last in the one-at-a-time Q3 shootout, he blew his chance to claim pole by running wide at Turn 11. Esteban Guerrieri, who ran first, also had his time deleted for stepping over the limits at the same corner.

“That was very tough, I have to say,” said Azcona after securing his first pole position since Most last year. “Everything is very close and we are all together, but I’m very happy with this first pole position of the year.

"The car was working amazingly and we need to use this opportunity tomorrow to take the victory tomorrow.”

Berthon was kicking himself for losing time on his lap, but Magnus had greater reason to be frustrated. “The car was really on the edge to be quick,” he said, “so it was not easy to drive.

"But I’m really disappointed. I should have finished the lap on a slow pace, which I tried to do to be honest. I didn’t want to take any risks, but the rear stepped out. This would have been a nice pole which is important here. I’m disappointed in myself, sorry to the team.”

Lynk & Co’s Santiago Urrutia will start the partially reversed-grid race two from pole position after qualifying 10th.

A late improvement in Q2 from fellow Lynk & Co driver Ma Qing Hua pushed him up to sixth and knocked Urrutia down to the crucial position – and Yvan Muller out of the top 10.

The Q2 session was briefly interrupted by Zengo