The Zengo Motorsport team will return to the World Touring Car Championship in 2013 with 2012 Yokohama Independents’ trophy winner Norbert Michelisz at the wheel of a Honda Civic.
Zengo Motorsport have secured technical support from Honda for the 2013 and 2014 campaigns and the team, while remaining as an independent entry will have access to all of the developments made to the works cars.
“After winning the Yokohama Trophy we needed new goals to aim for. In Honda we have found the perfect partner to fight for the World Championship. We thank Honda Hungary for their support and feel honoured that in Japan and Italy there’s a top level racing car under construction for us. To fully focus the team’s resources, we decided to enter only one car in the 2013 season,” explained Zengo Motorsport team Principal, Zoltan Zengo.
The announcement means that the team have brought their association with BMW to an end and for Michelisz, he will have to adapt from the Rear Wheel Drive BMW 320TC to the Front Wheel Drive Honda Civic S2000 WTCC.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to join a brand with such a history in motorsport like Honda. In terms of driving, switching from RWD to FWD won’t be easy in the beginning, but with the dedication and help from Honda and my team, now I can focus on long term goals: becoming a more complete driver, winning more races and hopefully having the chance to fight for the overall championship in the near future,” explained Michelisz, who finished sixth in the overall Championship in 2012, taking one win and two other podium finishes.
Of course Michelisz made his début in the WTCC at the wheel of a FWD SEAT so he shouldn’t have too much difficulty adapting to it again. Good luck to Zengo!