Münnich Motorsport drivers James Thompson, Esteban Guerrieri and Yann Ehrlacher are hoping to push further towards the front at the Hungaroring, after all three drivers enjoyed top ten finishes last time out in Morocco.
Whilst Frenchman Ehrlacher was the best of the trio on the Marrakech street circuit with three top ten finishes, Guerrieri and Thompson also scored a brace of points finishes as well.
For Ehrlacher, he hopes that coming to the Budapest circuit will reap rewards following an earlier test at the circuit in March.
“Morocco was a great weekend for the team and I and I feel we maximised everything,” said the Frenchman. “Now we’re feeling so positive coming out of that event that my approach is to aim for strong points every weekend and really confirm that pace everywhere.
“We had an extremely positive test at the Hungaroring last month and that can only help us as we push towards the podium.”
Thompson admits that after taking part in the official pre-season test at Barcelona – featuring a full day of running – he has now had more preparation time than at any other point in the past decade, even though he hadn’t raced a touring car in a year and a half prior to that.
“Coming back into racing after a year away is never easy, but Morocco was a very positive weekend and I’m sure we can continue to push towards the front in Hungary,” said Thompson.
“This is the most pre-season testing I’ve had since 2008 – when I took the first WTCC win for a Honda – and it showed in our performance in Marrakech to finish in the top six.
“I’ve always enjoyed racing in Budapest, both for the top city and an extremely rewarding circuit.”
Guerrieri is hoping for improved form in Budapest, after his sixth-place finish in race one in Marrakech turned out to be the high point of the weekend.
“Hungary is my chance to kick-start my season after a challenging weekend in Morocco with the technical issue that prevented me from qualifying and finishing higher,” said the Argentine. “It’s a tough circuit, but one where I’ve always been competitive, whatever the series.
“The team and I are now really starting to work well together and the Hungaroring was where they scored their first World Touring Car win five years ago, so it’s clear that we have everything we need to achieve some really strong finishes and move up the points table.”