Michelisz: I am thrilled to become a factory Honda driver

Norbert Michelisz won’t waste his opportunity in becoming a factory driver in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for the first time.

The winner of the Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy for independent racers on two previous occasions, Michelisz will form part of the three-strong Honda factory entry in the 2016 WTCC.

And the Hungarian has vowed to do all he can to vindicate Honda’s decision to promote him from the privateer Zengő Motorsport team to the works JAS Motorsport outfit.

“I am thrilled to become a factory Honda driver in the FIA World Touring Car Championship with JAS Motorsport,” said the 31-year-old Hungarian. “I have raced Honda machinery for the past three years and it has been an extremely good relationship that has enabled me to win races and take the Yokohama Trophy last year. I’m very grateful and hope I can repay the faith Honda have shown in me this year.”

Michelisz, a computer gamer turned ace racer, claimed an outright win on home soil in 2015 and took the DHL Pole Position Award in Japan with a scintillating effort in his privateer Civic WTCC. He placed sixth in last year’s overall standings.