Norbert Michelisz says “fantastic tow strategy” key to Monza pole

Norbert Michelisz claimed his first pole of the 2025 FIA TCR World Tour season, beating team-mate Mikel Azcona by close to two tenths with a Hyundai Elantra N TCR which he described as “perfect”.

“The car felt brilliant. You rarely have the possibility to be 100% perfect in terms of car balance, but I think we managed to have a perfect car,” said Michelisz.

“I was confident from the outset, to push, to brake late, to not pick up any turn in oversteer, the front was gripping.”

The Hungarian driver worked together with Azcona for slipstream during their respective attempts which he describes as key to the pole.

“We did a fantastic tow strategy which gave us pole position in the end, because I’m not sure without slipstream we would have been so fast,” said Michelisz.

“But in the first round of Q2 I received a tow from Mikel, it was perfect. And we managed to do the same for him in his second run, so I think that was the key.”

The BRC Racing driver is however not expecting an easy race, despite an all-Hyundai front row.

“The race will be a different story, I still don’t think we have the straight-line speed, but I know all the places to defend,” said Michelisz.

“Even if we have a good start, I don’t expect to have an easy race.”