Norbert Michelisz admits that “things are looking pretty good” for Honda in the World Touring Car Championship season finale in Qatar, with the Hungarian predicting podium finishes for the marque.
Michelisz heads to this weekend’s Race of Qatar fourth overall in the drivers’ championship standings, and a strong weekend could even see him pass team-mate Tiago Monteiro for third overall.
The Hondas will carry half as much compensation weight this weekend than they did last time out, and the Hungarian believes that the reduction to 30 kg, combined with the strong form shown by him and the car at the track last year, could lead to a strong weekend.
“With less compensation weight than we’ve had recently, I think our strategy will be a little different, but our aim will be the same and that’s to win,” said Michelisz, who scored a podium in the final race of 2015 at the Losail International Circuit.
“Last year I made the podium in Qatar, and the Civic is a stronger package than it was 12 months ago, so I think things are looking pretty good.”
Michelisz also took time to reflect on his first season as a factory Honda driver, which memorably yielded a win on home soil for Honda in Japan earlier in the year.
“The second half of the season has gone very well for me and I’ve had lots of podium finishes as well as my first win as a factory driver at Honda’s home race in Japan.
“We’ve definitely maximised the opportunity to finish in the top three at every round by making sure our qualifying strategy was right.”
The WTCC season finale takes place on the evening of Friday 25 November under floodlights in Qatar.