Yann Ehrlacher believes he is in an ‘intense’ fight with Norbert Michelisz for the 2023 TCR World Tour drivers’ title, with the Cyan Racing driver having taken over at the top of the standings after the Hungaroring.
Ehrlacher claimed pole position and won Saturday’s opening race in Hungary, which moved him to the joint top of the table.
Then, on Sunday, the Lynk & Co driver finished sixth, whilst Michelisz was taken out by a rival, to assume the lead of the drivers’ standings with a 16-point advantage after eight of the season’s 20 races.
With both Ehrlacher and Michelisz having scored two wins and a second each, the fight for the overall title is heating up – although Mikel Azcona and Rob Huff are only a further 11 and 18 points back respectively.
“Two wins and a podium from the first part of the season is something we can be quite pleased about,” said Ehrlacher. “It hasn’t been easy, even if it might have looked like it.
“I’m happy with the points that we have scored this weekend and leading the championship at mid-point is always nice.”
Ehrlacher described his race one win as being about careful tyre management, as he had to keep the Honda of Néstor Girolami at bay, eventually winning by just over two seconds.
“Maybe I looked comfortable, but it was hard to manage my tyres, being careful each lap not using too much in case a safety car pops up, but still being quick because the rhythm was super quick in the front.
“The main thing was the start; Bebu [Girolami] managed to make a very quick start so I closed the door and managed to stay alongside, then it was a case of braking later than him, which is what we did.
“We missed a little bit the apex, but that’s touring car stuff, then we knew that if we got the lead we could get away and get good points.
“The car was amazing and my thanks to the team; it’s never easy to put a quick car on the road with no race practice, because of the rain in FP2.
“We did an amazing job, and we are now in a very intense fight with Norbi in the championship. It’s very tight, we aren’t the only contenders, everyone is a contender at the moment.
“We’ve done only a third of the season let’s say, but he’s not doing mistakes, we are not doing mistakes, and it’s very equal.
“It’s nice for the fans and for the show. I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.”