Norbert Michelisz says that taking a double podium for Honda on his first outing for the team in the World Touring Car Championship in France represents ‘a dream result’.
Hungarian Michelisz secured a brace of podium results with two third place finishes in the opening and main races respectively, giving Honda’s new signing fourth overall in the championship leaving Circuit Paul Ricard.
Michelisz’s result complimented the win for team-mate Rob Huff in the opening race, marking a strong start to the season for the JAS Motorsport Honda outfit.
“I think it’s a dream result,” said an elated Michelisz after the first race. “The most important thing was Rob winning the race, I cheered for him very much and I was smiling when I saw him being the first after first corner.
“Unfortunately I made a bad start so it was a bit of a struggle for the first two or three corners. I had a big hit from behind braking for Turn 3, I was quite lucky to escape that.
“Then I knew that we had the pace throughout the race to overtake the people in the front, so I tried to be clever, I tried to save the tyres, and I just tried to wait for the opportunity, which came.
“The car was just brilliant. Like Mehdi [Bennani], I have to say I also struggled a bit with understeer. But overall the important thing is a one-three-four. We couldn’t have asked for more. I’m unbelievably happy and I would also like to thank everyone within the Honda family for giving me the opportunity and this unbelievable support.”
The main race saw Michelisz come from sixth on the grid to once again take third, benefitting from a strong start to settle into fourth on the opening lap, having passed LADA’s Nicky Catsburg early on. That then became third just before the halfway stage of the race when team-mate Tiago Monteiro muscled past Citroën’s Yvan Muller and allowed Michelisz past as well.
“The start was quite difficult,” explained Michelisz of his getaway. “The initial momentum was OK but then I saw Tom Coronel stalling and I had to lift and it took a lot of time. Fortunately it was enough to overtake Nicky. Then I was in fourth position.
“I knew that the guys in front were a bit faster but I just tried to save the tyres and wait for my chances, which came at the end because as Yvan and Tiago had a sight contact I was able to pass Yvan as well.
“[During] the next couple of laps I realised our pace is slightly better than his so it was all about not making any mistakes. I tried to be close to Tiago but I have to say he did an amazing drive; [it was] absolutely fantastic. I was on the limit but still he gained three or four tenths every lap.
“He showed this weekend that we have the potential not only on the race but also in qualifying and of course congratulations to Rob as well for winning the race.
“[It was] a dream start to the season for us, and just like Tiago said let’s keep up the good work.”