Having run the fifth fastest lap on time, Norbert Michels told our paper that with an extra 40 kilograms of weight in the car it was the limit, and he had no chance of fighting for first place. The lack of speed was also felt in the first race on Saturday. Michelisz lost two places at the start, later making up for them with an overtaking, and finally being thrown out for sixth.
“I was expecting this somewhere, as he finished fourth and sixth,” Norbert Michelsch told our newspaper after the race. – You guessed we’d struggle in the race because of the extra weight, and if we didn’t have the speed, that’s it. My starts were average, and my wheels sputtered a bit. The problem was that behind me Urrutia and Vervisch started very well, I tried to keep the position, but in the second turn I was already on the outside and there was nothing to do.
On the second lap, Michelisz overtook Urrutia driving Link & Có, but Audis Vervisch could no longer catch up. He also got a few reassuring pats on the back from the team mechanic in the Hyundai garage.
– I tried to take advantage of the shot in front of me, which I succeeded in, the overtaking was a pure maneuver, – Michelisch recalls. – Next, I tried to squeeze Vervisch, who was in front of me, but that was the limit, because he was always moving away on the straight, and then, on the twisty parts, I couldn’t keep up with him, not enough to try to overtake him.
Michelisch was sorry that he had not finished at least fifth, because Yann Ehrlacher took a confident victory at the start of the finish, so the French rider from Link & Co equaled his Hungarian rival, who was leading Hungary. Both currently have 175 points, but there is another race on Sunday, with Michaels starting sixth and Erlacher tenth.
– If the start is better, then there is a chance to score solid points, – Michelisch looked forward. – Now we’ll see what we can improve, the goal is to collect more points than today. Thanks to everyone who has been here at the Hungaroring and supported me.
TCR World Tour, championship leader after seven races: 1. Yann Ehrlacher (French, Lynk & Co) 179 points, 2. Norbert Michels (Hungarian, Hyundai) 179, 3. Mikel Azcona (Spanish, Hyundai) 148, 4. Rob Huff (British, Audi) 136, 5. Nestor Girolami (Argentina and Honda) 132.
The second race will be held on Sunday at 12 noon.
Cover photo: Norbert Michels racing in the familiar hills of Hungary (Photo: Hyundai Motorsport)
