Honda team chief tips Michelisz for more wins

Norbert Michelisz can keep on winning in the FIA World Touring Car Championship following his breakthrough success as a factory driver at WTCC JVCKENWOOD Race of Japan on Sunday.

That’s the view of Honda Racing Team JAS Team Principal Alessandro Mariani, who signed the former WTCC privateer for Honda’s works line-up for 2016.

“I’m especially delighted for Norbi,” said Mariani. “He’s had some disappointments recently and has put himself under a lot of pressure to get his first win as a factory driver. I’m sure now he has broken that barrier, he can win many more, just like Rob [Huff] and Tiago [Monteiro].”

Michelisz, a double WTCC Trophy champion, now has five career wins in the World Touring Car Championship. Only 11 drivers have won more races since the WTCC was relaunched in 2005.

He said: “Even before Argentina I said I wasn’t interested in finishing second or third any more; I wanted to win, and after what happened there I was even more determined this weekend. It’s a fantastic feeling to get my first win as a works driver and to do it here, at Honda’s home circuit, is more than I could ever have wished for.”