Norbert Michelisz moved into contention for the FIA World Touring Car Championship with a fifth podium finish of the year in torrential rain at Ningbo International Speedpark in China.
The Hungarian came home second in a shortened Main Race to add to an earlier fourth-placed finish; results that moved him to within two points of the Drivers’ Championship lead.
With team-mate Tiago Monteiro, who missed the event through injury – just half a point away from the top spot in the title race, the Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team left the brand-new circuit with two drivers in the thick of the championship battle.
Hungarian racer Norbert started the wet Opening Race from ninth spot on the reversed grid, but climbed to fourth place by the checkered flag; aided by team-mate Gabriele Tarquini, who substituted for Tiago.
With the Main Race starting behind the Safety Car, and then being abandoned after two laps, Norbert claimed the runner-up spot in the event, for which half-points were awarded due to its earlier-than-planned finish.
Gabriele, having allowed Norbert to pass him in the Opening Race, held off those behind him to claim fifth and then added fourth spot in the Main Race.
Ryo Michigami’s day began badly as he was forced to start from the back of the grid due to an engine-change penalty – a legacy of his qualifying issues. But the Japanese driver kept his concentration superbly in the treacherous conditions to climb to a career-best ninth spot.
He then repeated that result in Race Two to lie 16th in the championship.
Honda hold second place in the Manufacturers’ points table, just seven points away from the lead.
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