Attila Tassi targets podiums and points lead on Sunday in Thailand

Attila Tassi is hoping to make the most of his fifth place in qualifying on Sunday, with likely assistance from team-mate and team owner Norbert Michelisz ahead should the opportunity arise, in order to make up ground on championship leader Jean-Karl Vernay.

M1RA had a strong qualifying session, with all three cars in the top seven, with Michelisz, Tassi and new signing Giacomo Altoè qualifying third, fifth and seventh on the grid, while Honda on the whole were strong, with the Boutsen Ginion Honda of Aurélien Panis also in the top and securing pole for Race 2, and with Chariya Nuya on pole in the TCR Thailand class.

Tassi starts one spot behind championship rival Jean-Karl Vernay and lost a point in ground to the Frenchman, and is now three points back going into tomorrow’s first race.

“I want to thank the team, as we’ve really improved a lot since free practice and have found almost half a second,” he told TouringCarTimes.

“The aim is to have a good start and maybe we can fight for the podium in both races, and also to finish ahead of (Jean-Karl) Vernay, (Stefano) Comini and (Pepe) Oriola.

“It’s a big plus that Norbi is here and he’s in front so he can help me a little bit. We first have to survive the first lap and then maybe there will be some team tactics.”

Michelisz is standing in for Roberto Colciago, who has been forced to stay at home after injuries sustained in the crash in Germany haven’t fully healed.

“It’s a shame Roberto (Colciago) couldn’t come to Thailand,” added Tassi. “I miss him so much. We have a good relationship and I could really learn a lot from him every weekend, so it’s really a shame his ribs couldn’t get well.”

Team boss Norbert Michelisz was also delighted with the team’s results in qualifying.

“I’m happy because all three cars were in the top ten, so it’s a good chance to score points in both races,” said Michelisz to TouringCarTimes. “Giacomo’s standing starts have been quite good from the first moment, so he’s got a very good chance to score well particular in the second race.

“I’m proud, because we look professional, the performance is there, and if you look at the championship, the important thing is to have these kinds of performances from one race to the other. I think there’s also more to come from Giacomo as he’s not done any testing and has struggled a bit for track time and is just four-tenths from pole.”

On any team strategy on race day with Michelisz starting ahead of title contender Tassi, Michelisz explains the strategy will be no different to the previous round he contested in Hungary.

“If I have the chance to help Attila, I will do that, but I will not do anything dirty if there’s a car between us – I’m not here to push people off,” he said.