The countdown is over: the 2026 TCR South America season begins this weekend in Curvelo (MG) with a renewed scenario on and off the tracks. The championship will have its starting point at the Circuito dos Cristais, which last year was the stage for victories by Argentines Tiago Pernía and Juan Ángel Rosso.
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With more than 20 cars entered, the inaugural round will bring together eight teams and mark the arrival of new competitors, structures, and concepts to the South American grid. Among the main movements is the official debut of Hyundai MSA, which will put four Hyundai Elantra N TCR on the track. The Uruguay Racing Team also joins the championship, responsible for three Peugeot 308 GTI TCR. Honda Racing, W2 Pro GP, Cobra Racing Team, Porthack Racing, G Racing Motorsport and Paladini Racing continue in the competition.
The Argentine predominance brings news: Diego Ciantini, Camilo Trappa, Nicolás Fuca and Néstor “Bebu” Girolami join the grid. Girolami returns to the South American scene after competing in Argentina’s main categories.
Uruguay expands its representation with the return of Juan Manuel Casella and Enrique Maglione, in addition to the arrival of Joaquín Cafaro, who had already competed in the rounds held in his country in 2025. Among the Brazilians, young names begin an international career within the TCR concept: Erick Schotten will defend W2 Pro GP; Gabriel Moura will be at Cobra Racing Team; and Bruno Massa will compete for G Racing Motorsport.
The season also brings news in the sporting regulations. Starting this year, the Junior division will be implemented, intended for drivers up to 24 years old with fewer than six appearances in competitions under TCR regulations. The Trophy Cup remains on the calendar.
The official schedule begins on Friday with three free practice sessions. On Saturday, the drivers compete in two more practice sessions and qualifying, maintained in the Q1 and Q2 format. The two races are scheduled for Sunday, at 9h13 and 13h08. The second race will have a reversed grid among the top ten qualifiers.
Check out the teams and drivers confirmed for the 2026 season:
W2 Pro GP – CUPRA León VZ
#7 Erick Schotten (BRA) (J) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#22 Celso Neto (BRA) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#77 Raphael Reis (BRA) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
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Cobra Racing Team – Audi RS3 LMS Gen2
#86 Gabriel Moura (BRA) (J) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
G Racing Motorsport – CUPRA León VZ
#19 Enzo Gianfratti (BRA) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#20 Bruno Massa (BRA) (J) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
Driver to be confirmed
Honda Racing – Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR / Honda Civic Type R FK7 TCR
#33 Nelson Piquet Jr. (BRA) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#85 Tiago Pernía (ARG) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#1 Leonel Pernía (ARG) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#61 Fernando Croce (BRA)* – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#88 Adrián Chiriano (ARG)* – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
Porthack Racing – Honda Civic Type R FK7 TCR
Driver to be confirmed
Paladini Racing – Lynk & Co 03 TCR
#16 Juan Ángel Rosso (ARG)
#5 Fabián Yannantuoni (ARG)
#3 Nicolás Fuca (ARG) (J) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#9 Fabricio Pezzini (ARG) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
Hyundai MSA – Hyundai Elantra N TCR
#115 Diego Ciantini (ARG)
#27 Camilo Trappa (ARG) (J)
#29 Néstor Girolami (ARG)
Driver to be confirmed
Uruguay Racing Team – Peugeot 308 GTI TCR
#60 Juan Manuel Casella (URU) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
#8 Joaquín Cafaro (URU)
#15 Enrique Maglione (URU) – TCR Brasil Banco BRB
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* Trophy
(J) Junior
