Spin cost the chance of victory for Michelisz

2011. augusztus 1. 06:59  szerző: Viktor Adorján

Norbert Michelisz had a major chance to take his first victory of the season with his BMW 320 TC but a halfway into the distance a spin ruled out the possibility of a podium finish for the Hungarian driver. Michelisz still keeps the lead of the Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy.

Changeable weather conditions and chilly ambient temperature made the life difficult for the WTCC paddock in Germany but the cold and rainy climate was not the only trouble that hit Norbert Michelisz and Zengő Dension Team over their stay in Oschersleben.

The whole weekend was packed with difficulties for the Hungarian outfit but the performance of the BMW 320 TC was promising and it almost turned into a valuable result in Germany.

Race 1 of Germany was started only at the third attempt as the field faced difficulties over taking up the starting formation but there was not any significant accident in Turn 1. It was clear right at the beginning that Norbert Michelisz’s pace on the wet track is not up to what the frontrunners were able to set and quickly fell back to 10th in the order.

This was just the beginning of the racing incidents; at first, Michelisz was spun by Franz Engstler on Lap 5 and bit later Kristian Poulsen also forced him to drive onto the grass which made the Zengő Dension Team driver to finish the race down in 15th place.

Almost there but not yet

This year, the superb standing starts are almost Norbert Michelisz’s trademarks. The Hungarian driver produced another sensational take off from the grid and immediately took the lead of Race 2 of Germany in Oschersleben.

Norbert successfully managed to keep his place up until halfway into the race when he spun with his BMW 320 TC. The mistake made him to fall back 4th in the order where he was forced to defend his position to Tom Coronel and later Yvan Muller who made contact with his car.

Michelisz then lost his momentum that allowed Coronel to get beside him and Michelisz ended up in the tyre wall when he was trying to retake his position in Turn 1. Race 2 was won by Franz Engstler ahead Alain Menu and Gabriele Tarquini.

 “I was completely sure that I can win the race when I was leading but I simply touched the kerb from a wrong angle in the penultimate turn and the car lost its balance; I didn’t expect the need to counter steer the car that much. I reacted too late with the steering,” Michelisz explained after the race.

He added: “The spin came unexpectedly and it was a very bad feeling to drive on P4 and P5 later as I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get back to the podium or the lead. This was like a shot on target that should have been a goal. I’m sorry for not making it happen.”

WTCC will resume in five weeks’ time in Valencia.