Photo: TCR Series

Norbert Michelisz delighted with sensational weekend for M1RA

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WTCC star Norbert Michelisz scored his first win in the TCR International Series in the first race in Thailand, while team-mate Attila Tassi leaves with the lead of the drivers’ championship for the second time, rounding off a great weekend for the Hungarian squad.

Michelisz leapt to second at the start of the race from third on the grid, passing James Nash’s SEAT, and then kept in close contact with race leader Mat’o Homola’s Opel during the first half of the race, until he made an ill-fated move to try and allow team-mate Tassi past for second on lap eight, which just allowed the SEAT of Pepe Oriola to dive through and grab the position from his young Hungarian team-mate.

It worked out in the end however, as Homola suffered a puncture two laps from the end, and then Oriola stopped with a gearbox issue on the final lap, with both M1RA cars finishing on the podium in Race 1, and then new signing Giacomo Altoè also finished on the podium in Race 2, securing second in his first weekend with the team.

“I have to say, it wasn’t easy,” said Michelisz to TouringCarTimes. “I saw Mat’o pushing a lot and I expected him to struggle with the tyres at the end of the race, so it was difficult to decide whether to put more pressure on him, or look in the mirrors.

“We decided to work for the championship, and I tried to help Attila but it didn’t work out, so after that I just tried to get into my rhythm and score as many points as possible. For the second time in a row, I’ve been promoted because of a puncture from P2 to P1 – Mat’o did a really good job, and he would have to deserved a win, but it is what it is.”

On the failed attempt to allow Tassi pass at Turn 3, Michelisz explained the rationale and why it didn’t work out.

“This is a wide circuit, it’s not like the Hungaroring, so it was a difficult decision. We tried to switch places where there was no risk, but Pepe saw it coming and he was just there to take advantage of it. I’m happy Attila finished the race on the podium and withstood the pressure for the race, as that’s the way to win the championship.

“I’m very happy as it’s three podium finishes for the team, important points for the teams’ championship, and Attila is leading the drivers’ championship.”