Hungarian star Norbert Michelisz will start both World Touring Car races from 21st after technical troubles blighted his first race weekend in the new Honda Civic.
Michelisz experienced problems from the very start of the day, with brake problems in first practice allowing him only one flying lap. In second practice there were no problems, but Michelisz was left lacking track time and ended the session in 13th.
“We had some technical issues in FP1 and of course that meant that important time went missing because I did not have the chance to drive the car properly before the race weekend,” explained Michelsiz to TouringCars.Net.
“I was really focussing on having a perfect first and second free practice session to have the best possible base for qualifying. With thirty minutes thrown out of the window it was very difficult for us in FP2 to sort all of the things we wanted with the car. But FP2 went OK.”
With the team optismitic for qualifying, moods were dampened when the brake problems returned, leaving Michelisz down in 21st after just one flying lap blighted by traffic.
“The car seemed to be fine and also I was confident that we could make it into Q2,” continued Michelisz. “But then suddenly at the beginning of qualifying I realised that we have a problem with the braking. We don’t know what the problem is right now because the car is in Parc Fermé. I could not do even one proper lap.
“I was expecting this situation a little bit. To sort all of the technical issues out you need proper testing. A race weekend is not there for this.
Michelisz, like Rob Huff, will therefore start Sunday’s races from the back of the grid and with a forecast for heavy rain he is optimistic of his chances to salvage some points.
“I’m looking forward to the rain. Maybe that will mix things up a little bit. Of course it’s a track where you can overtake but from 21st to score some points you also need some luck.
However Michelisz added that he has been buoyed by the support of the Hungarian fans, who are once again making their voices heard and presence felt in the Monza paddock.
“I’m not so disappointed,” concluded Michelisz. “It’s not the end of the world for us. Of course Hungarian people are expecting a lot from us this year but I think they also understand that the first couple of race weekends will be quite tough because we don’t know the car properly.
“The enthusiasm and the fanaticism of Hungarian fans is crazy. On race weekends where things are not going your way it’s a very nice feeling to have.”