Norbert Michelisz is expecting changes to the compensation weight system to make for a ‘difficult task’ for Hyundai drivers ahead of the FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) races in Germany.
The Hungarian has been amongst the pace-setting drivers in the first two events, with two pole positions and two podium finishes at the most recent round in Hungary.
But Michelisz is expecting changes to the compensation weights to particularly hit the Hyundais, which have scooped up the majority of podium finishes and half of the race wins so far in the series.
“Although the last two race weekends showed that the i30 N TCR is among the most competitive cars on the grid, I think that in Germany we will have a difficult task,” says Michelisz. “Because of the compensation weight [Ed – yet to be published] that comes into play we will have to carry a lot of extra ballast compared to the other models.”
Away from the weights, which have yet to be declared, Michelisz hopes to emulate some of the success he has had at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the past, having finished second in the main WTCC race in 2017 and having also scored two podiums the year before that.
“After being on pole position last year and finishing three times on the podium in the last four races on the Nordschleife, my aim is to fight for podium finishes this year as well.
“[The] Nürburgring is a racetrack you can’t compare to anything. I always look forward to the challenge of racing at the Green Hell and I also enjoy the atmosphere of the 24 hour race.”
Both practice sessions, first qualifying and the opening race take place on Thursday, with the latter at 19:45 CEST (18:45 BST) in the evening.