Norbert Michelisz struck a cautious note ahead of his home round of the World Touring Car Championship this weekend in Hungary, as the Honda driver grapples with 80 kg of compensation weight.
As a result of the pace of the Honda Civic in the first two events of the year, the manufacturer has picked up the maximum 80 kg of weight for this weekend’s third event in Budapest.
It means that Michelisz must carry 80 kg more at home than he did last time out at Monza, where he had the pace to challenge for the Opening Race win before contact from the Citroën of Mehdi Bennani.
“It’s my home event and one of the races I look forward to the most every year,” said Michelisz, who has won his home race twice before. “I truly believe I have the best fans in the WTCC and thousands of them come from all over Hungary to support me when I race at the Hungaroring.
“It would mean such a huge amount if I could give them a win and close in on the lead of the championship.”
The Hungarian adds that whilst the extra weight won’t help, he doesn’t expect it to prevent Honda from being competitive once again, despite the fact that when the Civics carried 70 kg at the circuit in 2016 they managed just one podium finish all weekend.
“Having 80 kg on board makes the job more difficult, but the Honda is an incredibly well-balanced car and we should be pretty competitive.”
Michelisz currently sits fourth overall in the drivers’ championship standings, 39 points adrift of team-mate and leader Tiago Monteiro.