Zengő Motorsport’s Norbert Michelisz heads to the Hungaroring for rounds five and six of the World Touring Car Championship with the aim of scoring his first podium of the season.
It will be the fourth time the WTCC has visited the Hungaroring to the north of Budapest and on each occasion local hero Michelisz has always achieved a podium finish, including a sensational victory in 2012.
So far in 2014 the 29-year-old has had a somewhat subdued start to his campaign, managing a trio of points finishes in the opening four races. At home in Hungary this weekend, Michelisz hopes to be able to reward his fans with yet another podium finish in his TC1 Honda.
“The support of the fans is very important to me, and obviously I would like to thank them with a podium finish,” said Michelisz. “In between qualifying, races and debriefs I am always very busy during the Budapest weekend, because everybody wants to see me and show me their support personally.
“I have learned to cope with that increased attention and apparently that extra pressure does not influence my performances, because I have been on the podium ever since the WTCC first came to Hungary. I can only hope that this will be the case again this year.”
Michelisz explains that his love of racing when he was younger led to him getting involved in online simulation racing, which ultimately led to his involvement in the real-world WTCC.
“My uncle was a rally driver and through him I developed an interest in racing,” explains Michelisz. “In 1992 I saw my first Hungarian Grand Prix on television. Since I lacked the means to go racing myself, I focused on racing simulations. At home at first and then through competitions online. This is how I came into contact with Gábor Wéber, one of Hungary’s most successful drivers. When watching me during a virtual race, he suggested that I should try racing for real and brought me into contact with Zoltan Zengő…”
Michelisz’s relationship with Zengő developed from there and 2014 is his ninth season racing with the Hungarian squad and his fifth in the WTCC. Michelisz explains how a 2005 test with the team led to the long partnership.
“This was my first time on a real track,” said Michelisz of his 2005 test. “But Mr Zengő was so impressed he offered me a seat for a complete season in a promotional Cup. This is how our relationship started and I have raced for Zengő Motorsport ever since, competing my first full WTCC season in 2010.”
Aside from star name Michelisz this weekend, Honda will also field two works’ cars for Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro, as well as a car for Proteam Racing’s Mehdi Bennani. JAS Motorsport’s Alessandro Mariani is confident of further reducing the gap to pace setters Citroën this weekend, despite admitting that further work is required with Honda’s new Civic.
“After two extremely busy weeks in Marrakech and Le Castellet, we’ve had more time to prepare ourselves for the Hungarian race weekend,” said Mariani. “We’re getting there, but it is still very difficult to have the first four race weekends within less than five weeks, especially with a brand new car that needs further development.
“The Hungaroring is a very technical track – overtaking is at a premium – and I gather that the gap with the opposition will be reduced. The results in France showed that the four Civic drivers really race as a team and are able to collaborate well on track, so I am filled with a lot of confidence for the races ahead.”