‘Huge frustration’ for Norbert Michelisz after missed win at Termas

Norbert Michelisz had taken the lead of the main race after a wonderful start at Termas de Río Hondo, Argentina. As the Honda driver fought against local hero José María López and his Citroën team-mate Yvan Muller, a touch with the Frenchman meant the Hungarian lost the car – and several positions.

“In the Opening Race the plan was to score as many points as possible and P6 was the maximum achievable from P9 on the grid,” said Michelisz. “My focus today was all on the Main Race because from a front-row start, I knew I had a great chance to get my first win of the season.”

The Honda driver admits he could have settled for a podium, but he was desperate to take his first win as a factory Honda driver: “I was under great pressure and it would have been perhaps sensible to not battle and instead settle for an easy podium, but we are racing here and the aim was to get a victory. I’m very disappointed to have lost the possibility of a race win, but unfortunately there was contact between me and Yvan Muller and because of this I went off through the gravel and dropped to P8. The frustration is huge.”

Michelisz last won a WTCC race at his home round in Hungary last year, driving for independent team Zengo Motorsport.