The M Racing team announced its commitment to the 2019 TCR Europe series with two Hyundai i30 N cars driven by Nelson Panciatici et Natan Bihel.
The team directed by Justine Monnier ran the cars in last year’s WTCR on behalf of YMR. “We are pleased to join the TCR Europe series. Our team’s mission is to form young drivers and bring them to top-level competition, like we have done with Yann Ehrlacher and Thomas Laurent. We had experienced the WTCR in 2018, but have now chosen TCR Europe that is a more appropriate series for a young driver’s correct approach to the category. Nelson has some racing experience, but he’s a rookie in Touring Cars, as for Nathan he wished to give a different direction to his career after two seasons with prototypes,” Monnier explained.

Nelson Panciatici, 30-year old son of the former rallyman Jacques, built himself a reputation in sportscars winning two LMP2 titles in the European Le Mans Series. “It is a big change, but I was looking for a new challenge and this opportunity makes me really happy. I can’t wait to join the team and begin to discover the car. My goal is to be competitive, even if I know I have to learn facing a very competitive field,” he said.

Bihel is only 19, but has already taken part in three racing seasons from his debut in the 2016 French Supertourisme Championship. “To join this programme is a great opportunity. It’s a bit like going back to the first steps of my career in Supertourisme. After a couple of seasons in LMP3 it won’t be easy to discover the front-wheel drive, but I can benefit from the team’s experience and will do my best to be quickly on the pace.”

In the picture: Nelson Panciatici (left) and Natan Bihel (right)