Michelisz: “I wasn’t even sure I was at the start”

The final race of the 2019 WTCR season in Sepang (Malaysia) offered an incredible finale between Norbert Michelisz and Esteban Guerrieri. The title changed hands constantly before the All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport resident suffered a radiator failure following contact with Mikel Azcona (Cupra).

The new champion returned to this conclusion under tension when he was not even sure he could defend his chances.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate Esteban because his performances in the last two races were sensational, a déclaré le pensionnaire du BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse. It was a very competitive fight where we were all at full strength. He and I suffered from technical problems. I wasn't even sure if I would be able to start Race 3, but the car was able to run at 90%. »

“It’s a huge reward after a long season, added the 35-year-old Hungarian. We didn't start very well, but we built our success in the second part of the year. I had been hoping to win the title for two years. It's hard to describe the emotions going through me. I think of all those who have supported me over the last decade. A little over ten years ago, I was still playing video games, hoping to start a professional career. And finally I succeeded. »

If Hyundai missed the Teams title against Cyan Racing Lynk & Co by 34 points, the Korean brand obtained the best trophy among the TCR grids at the end of a successful season for the i30 TCR.

“It’s been an incredible year for our TCR customers around the world, commented Hyundai Motorsport director Andrea Adamo. Norbert Michelisz is the 8th driver to win a title in an i30 N TCR or Veloster N TCR this season. With our crowns won in TCR Europe and TCR Asia, the title obtained for the first year of TCR Australia and our double Drivers and Teams title in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in North America, the success of the cars built by the Customer department of Hyundai Motorsport has truly shone across the planet. This is not only a success for our customers, but also for Hyundai as a manufacturer of high-performance cars. »

Hyundai had a great year, winning its first Manufacturers' world title in WRC.

Discover the report of the WTCR in Sepang produced by our special correspondent in issue n°2247 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.