Norbert Michelisz says that he and Honda are ‘as prepared as possible’ as he bids to secure a first World Touring Car Championship title with Honda in Qatar on Friday.
Michelisz heads into the final two races of the season just 6.5 points behind Volvo’s Thed Björk, with the Hungarian having closed in on his Swedish rival in the previous round in Macau.
Indeed Michelisz has never been as close all year as he is now in the title race, and the 33-year-old is hoping that a change in his approach mid-season will continue to pay dividends in the desert in Friday’s season-concluding races.
“It all comes down to Friday night and I think that, as a team, we’re as prepared as we possibly can be,” said Michelisz ahead of the WTCC’s night races.
“Earlier in the year I became fixated on thinking championship, and it didn’t help me, so I changed my philosophy to taking things one race at a time. It’s definitely paid off, as you can see from the results since the Nurburgring in May.
“Obviously, I want to win the World Championship and the whole team is behind me in this aim, but win or lose, as long as I can say I gave it everything, I’ll be proud of the job I’ve done.
“We were strong in Qatar last year and I will really try to do my best not to do any mistakes, to get the most out of myself and the car. And in the end if it works out for sure I’ll be really happy.”
Practice takes place on Thursday, ahead of qualifying and both races on Friday evening.