Michel Nykjær aiming for rookie title

Michel Nykjær is hoping to end his first full FIA World Touring Car Championship season on a high with the diesel powered SEAT Léon.
“I’m third in the rookie championship, and I really want to win. I performed better than Michelisz and Barth in the last meeting, so hopefully, if I am lucky, I can win the championship,” said Nykjær to TouringCarTimes.

Nykjær switched from driving a petrol powered Chevrolet Lacetti in the Danish championship last year to the diesel SEAT Léon this year in the world championship. The switch required a big change in driving style, according to the Dane.

“The TDi is different from anything I’ve ever driven. I got some help from my team-mates and also from Yvan Muller, who is now at Chevrolet, and the big drivers said it’s difficult to learn. I think it’s a bit difficult to drive, and I had to change my driving style to get the most out of it. Still, I think I’m now able to exploit the potential of the diesel-powered Leòn,” said Nykjær.

The Dane is aiming to continue racing in the WTCC next year with the diesel SEAT.

“We’re just starting to see what we’re going to do next year. My plan is to stay in the WTCC and that’s what I’m aiming at. Of course, not driving the Leòn TDi would mean wasting all the precious experience I got from this year. Anyway, I was able to learn the tracks and understand the rules of the game this year,” said Nykjær.

Two races remain of the WTCC 2010, Okayama in Japan this weekend and the season finale at Macau in november, a track Nykjær never before has driven.

“Macau will be a new experience for me; I’ve never seen or experienced the track before, except for some videos and playing in video games. But everybody told me it’s not an easy track at all! This is my first year, so I’ll take it as it comes. I’ll just take it easy and see what happens,” said Nykjær.

Nykjær is currently third in the rookie challenge, 18 points behind leading Norbert Michelisz.