Ecstatic Norbert Michelisz takes home World Touring Car victory in Hungary
Local star Norbert Michelisz caused euphoria in the Hungaroring's packed grandstands by delivering his second reversed grid World Touring Car victory
From fifth on the grid, the Hungarian made an excellent start in his rear-wheel drive Zengo Motorsport BMW to power into the lead at Turn 1.
Michelisz staged an immediate breakaway, assisted by the presence of Spanish teenager Pepe Oriola in second. The SUNRED SEAT backed up an inspired Mehdi Bennani, in the solitary Proteam BMW, and Alain Menu in the highest placed factory Chevrolet.
On lap nine, Bennani attempted a move on Independents' Trophy points leader Oriola into Turn 1. The manoeuvre was only partially successful, as the Moroccan drifted wide on the exit of the corner, allowing an opportunistic Menu past both men into second.
Menu had just three laps to close a 4.4-second deficit to Michelisz, and was forced to concede a 1.8s margin of victory at the chequered flag.
"This is probably the happiest day of my life," said an emotional Michelisz. "At the start I wasn't expecting to lead, having started in P5, but I was happy to accept the gift. It is a good job I couldn't hear the crowd inside the car, as otherwise I don't think I could have maintained focus."
Having achieved his highest ever WTCC finish of fourth in Sunday morning's race one, Bennani reeled off the final laps in composed style to claim the final step of the podium.
Oriola finished a comfortable fourth ahead of SUNRED SEAT driver Tiago Monteiro, who exhibited an impressive display of defensive driving to keep Slovakia Ring victor Gabriele Tarquini at bay.
Chevrolet's championship hopeful Rob Huff and points leader Yvan Muller were likewise unable to make an impression on Tarquini's sixth place Lukoil SEAT.
Muller dropped two places on the last lap after sliding off the road on the exit of the fast Turn 10 right-hander.
Despite his late race moment, Muller continues to lead the drivers' standings. The triple world champion has 180 points, some 23 points clear of second placed Menu. Huff slips to third on 150, as the series heads to the Salzburgring in Austria for the next round on May 20.
Results - 12 laps: Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap 1. Norbert Michelisz Zengo BMW 23m37.603s 2. Alain Menu Chevrolet + 1.805s 3. Mehdi Bennani Proteam BMW + 4.998s 4. Pepe Oriola SUNRED SEAT + 6.221s 5. Tiago Monteiro SUNRED SEAT + 8.020s 6. Gabriele Tarquini Lukoil SEAT + 8.641s 7. Rob Huff Chevrolet + 9.077s 8. Stefano D'Aste Wiechers BMW + 10.139s 9. Franz Engstler Engstler BMW + 11.067s 10. Yvan Muller Chevrolet + 11.572s 11. Alex MacDowall bamboo Chevrolet + 13.174s 12. Tom Coronel ROAL BMW + 15.438s 13. Darryl O'Young Special Tuning SEAT + 19.695s 14. Tom Chilton Arena Ford + 22.556s 15. Pasquale di Sabatino bamboo Chevrolet + 23.189s 16. Aleksei Dudukalo Lukoil SEAT + 23.644s 17. Gabor Weber Zengo BMW + 45.913s 18. Alberto Cerqui ROAL BMW + 1m50.928s Retirements: James Nash Arena Ford 10 laps James Thompson Lada 1 lap Charles Ng Engstler BMW 1 lap
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