Norbert Michelisz hails protégé and new championship leader Attila Tassi
M1RA’s Attila Tassi has assumed the lead of the TCR International Series, the fifth different leader of the season after Davit Kajaia, Roberto Colciago, Jean-Karl Vernay and Stefano Comini, with team boss and one-off team-mate Norbert Michelisz praising the young star’s performance in front of his home crowd.
Tassi, who turned 18 last week, scored his first two victories in his second season of competition in the TCR International Series on race day, launching into the lead of Race 1 ahead of Michelisz and controlling the pace, while in Race 2 he went from seventh to first over the course of the race, assuming the points lead from team-mate Roberto Colciago, with the veteran Italian finishing further down the order in fifth.
“What can you say after results like this?” said the M1RA team principal Michelisz to TouringCarTimes.
“I’m so proud of everyone, especially Attila, as what he did today was just fantastic. The key was his standing start, both times. He’s really focussed, for me he’s done a brilliant job, he’s improved now in every small area – I think now maybe I have to get some tips from him.”
Tassi, now leading the championship by six points over reigning TCR Italy champion Roberto Colciago was elated after his second victory, just hours after his first.
“I’ve never felt something like this,” said Tassi. “My start was good, I had a bit of contact with (Giacomo) Altoè, and my steering was a bit to the right, so I wasn’t fast in some corners but I could manage it.”
The Hungarian wasn’t letting the series points lead get to him however, adding: “From weekend to weekend, the championship is changing. It’s a good feeling to lead the championship, but it’s still a long season.”
