Photo: WTCC Media

Norbert Michelisz triumphs again in the Yokohama Trophy

Zengő Honda driver Norbert Michelisz won the Yokohama backed independents’ trophy for the second time in an intense battle in Qatar, finishing just four points clear of Mehdi Bennani after a strong challenge from the Sébastien Loeb Racing Citroën driver .

The 31-year-old, who was ineligible for the class for the past two seasons, admitted to being relieved despite mainly having his eye on the overall standings where he finished sixth overall, splitting the two factory Hondas of Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro.

“I’m really happy to be honest, because I said many times for me that finishing as high as possible in the overall standings after last season is the main priority,” said Michelisz.

“I had some extra pressure before this race weekend because watching Mehdi’s performance for the last two or three race weekends was really impressive. And I knew before arriving here I had to do a perfect weekend in terms of qualifying and race one and race two because he’s on top of his game.

“He also did the perfect weekend, finishing second in qualifying and on the podium in the first race and pushing hard in the second one. He really deserves also top spot in the standings.

“I have to say a huge thank you and a big congratulations to my team. Looking from the outside I think people really underestimate the work the Zengő boys are putting in through all the weekends so I have to say thank you to them. When you are a drive you are always in the spotlight and people cheer for something but what they did was at least 50 per cent of this result so I’m also really happy for them.”

Michelisz finished four points clear of Mehdi Bennani in the standings, while both Zengő and Sébastien Loeb Racing finished third and fourth in the team’s classification behind the two-car programmes of ROAL Motorsport and Campos Racing.