Norbert Michelisz admitted after qualifying that he was disappointed to miss out on a third consecutive World Touring Car Championship pole in Argentina, after being pipped by Volvo’s Nicky Catsburg.
Michelisz had just set the benchmark time when Polestar’s Catsburg went fastest as the final driver to set a lap in Q3, with the Dutchman using all of the track and more at the last corner to take pole.
In the end Catsburg’s qualifying time was allowed to stand, having been at one stage under investigation, and Michelisz was denied taking pole three times on the bounce.
“The lap in Q3 was OK,” said Michelisz. “We were struggling with the brakes so we had to change discs and pads before Q3 and I wasn’t really confident braking for Turn 5 and braking for the last corner.
“In the end even the perfect lap it would have been difficult to beat Nicky. In the end for me that was the maximum today.
“I was really looking forward to maybe be three times in a row on pole but it was not really supposed to be like that.
“Congratulations to the team because they did an amazing job. The car felt really good from the first moment of Free Practice 1 and I was really happy for Tiago [Monteiro] finishing in third because it’s important points of the championship.”
Michelisz will start the Opening Race from eighth on the reverse grid before lining up in second for the Main Race.
Sunday’s Opening Race takes place at 15:00 local time (19:00 BST, 20:00 CEST).