Norbert Michelisz

Norbert Michelisz is refusing to be downbeat despite facing the prospect of starting Race 1 at WTCR Race of China-Wuhan from the back of the grid.

With the BRC Racing Team having to change the engine on Michelisz’s Hyundai i30 N TCR, the Hungarian goes to the back of the grid under the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO regulations.

“For me [changing the engine] was affecting everything what was happening today in qualifying and it will probably will affect the approach for the race [this afternoon],” said Michelisz. “The problem started a bit earlier. It was not a huge issue but we arrived to a point where we needed to take a decision because we were not sure about the upcoming mileage. But it was not something that just happened.”

Following the lockout of race wins by the Hyundai i30 N TCR at WTCR Race of China-Ningbo last weekend, the car has been less competitive on the streets of Wuhan following the latest compensation weight and balance of performance rulings.

“If you look at the success ballast table we expected it to be tough [here],” said Michelisz. “Being 60 kilograms heavier on a circuit like this, the effect can be you are more to the back. But in the end we knew we would arrive to race weekends where we would struggle and I don’t think it’s a huge problem. The important thing is to look ahead because there are plenty of races left. And, like in Ningbo, we have all the possibilities for qualifying and the races tomorrow.”

Michelisz’s team-mate Gabriele Tarquini will start P20 with fellow Hyundai pilots Thed Björk and Yvan Muller P15 and P16 respectively.

Via FIA WTCR