2010. August 21. 19:08 | no comments yet.  author: Le Mans Series press office

Norbert Michelisz and Csaba Walter took part in a press conference following Race 1 of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo that saw both drivers retiring due technical problems. Michelisz stated that he thought there was a real chance to win  and will attack tomorrow.

Norbi, before you were forced to retire, it was looking like that the times were very fast and the things were going very well. What would have been the chances to win the race?

It is different to catch somebody and overtake him but obviously I would have tried to pass the car ahead him with the least possible risk. I think we had a good chance to win today, as I heard before the retirement I was a second faster and 8 minutes were remaining so the last 4-5 laps would have given a real opportunity to win.

Your strategy was quite interesting on the qualifying; you drove out, did a very quick laptime, ended up 2nd and how did it work out?

It was visible on the free practice that we have a similar pace with Giorgio (Sanna), this was a reason why he chose to begin the race after the rolling start because he has more experience in this field which meant that I will complete the first laps on the qualifying. The amount of the available tyres is limited, we have three sets of tyres and three races so we tried to do as few laps as possible on the qualifying in order to save a reasonably fresh set of tyres one of the races.

What is the best thing in driving the Lamborghini Super Trofeo?

I have never driven any racecar that was more powerful than 300 horse power and despite the fact that I don't feel a big difference in the cornering, on the straights I would say the car is even more powerful than 570 horse power if I don't know the exact values. Every acceleration is a phenomenal experience and because I haven't got used to it, every acceleration is a big adrenaline boost.

Please explain a bit what happened to you on the races.

For us the race worked out quite well. Giorgio, my partner was able to take the lead but sadly we had to settle for second soon. Later, after the driver change it was obvious that we had a chance to go up against the fastest drivers. Unfortunately 8 minutes before the end of the race something got broken in the engine or the gearbox and when I started to brake in Turn 13 the car started to move like I if I applied the handbrake.

Then or maybe earlier when I spun the engine changed for emergency mode so I was lucky to made it into the pits. Nothing has lost regarding the further part of the weekend, we can keep up what (Fabio) Babini has showed by moving up to the lead from 7th on the grid by the end of Lap 1.

What is it like to race again in Hungary?

For me it is a huge feeling to come back to the Hungaroring. This was the first racing circuit where I drove a racecar for the very first time and it is always nice to come home to this track. More of that, it gives me a lot to get stopped in the paddock or the Lamborghini tent to ask for an autograph or to take photos. It shows that we are on the right direction and I hope every occasion when I'll come home to race will be a similar experience.

Photo by Péter Farkas

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