Norbert Michelisz happy with strong qualifying

Norbert Michelisz emerged as the top of the independent drivers that are in contention for the WTCC independents’ trophy in qualifying, and will start just behind Colin Turkington who’s only taking part in three events this year.

The 27-year-old Hungarian is just 11 points behind BMW rival Kristian Poulsen in the independents’ standings with 65 points remaining in the final four races of the season at Shanghai and Macau. Though Michelisz is also just four points clear of SUNRED driver Michel Nykjaer, but Poulsen starts tenth for race one with Nykjaer 17th whilst Michelisz has qualified in fourth position, but believes the front row was achievable.

“We had known that we would have a difficult qualifying session which is very important at this track because it is very narrow and it will be tough to overtake here tomorrow,” said Michelisz.

“I am very positive about the result of the qualification since my main opponents in the Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy are behind me and it was my main target for today.”

“The fourth place is a bonus as there was a major mistake in my timed lap but it is still one of my best results in WTCC qualification. I think the first row would have been in reach, I’m sorry that it didn’t work out.”