Norbert Michelisz qualifies on the front row for home race

A capacity crowd is expected at the Hungaroring tomorrow to cheer on home favourite Norbert Michelisz, who has qualified as the fastest of the three Honda drivers and starts behind championship leader Yvan Muller for the first race.

The Hungarian’s lap of 1:53.806 was almost four-tenths down on Muller’s time, but vitally over a second faster than the two works Hondas of Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro, which secured the 28-year-old his best qualifying position so far this season.

“It’s a very emotional day for us today,” said Michelisz. “The car is working really well, through the free practices we found quite a good balance with the car so I thought we could be in the top three or four in qualifying, so to be on the front row at home is just an amazing thing.”

“My lap was also almost perfect…I’m just very happy as a lot of people have come to support me and I want to give them something back, and a starting position on the front row gives me the opportunity tomorrow to fight for a podium finish.”