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Zengő’s back: Nagy hands Hungarian team podium as Szabó scores in WTCR

Norbert Nagy thanked former Zengő Motorsport driver Norbert Michelisz for helping the Hungarian team to a first FIA world championship podium since Qatar in November 2015.

Michelisz took third place at WTCC Race of Qatar during his Zengő farewell prior to becoming a factory Honda driver for 2016. Since then, the team has focused on developing a pool of young drivers who have lacked the experience needed to challenge at the front.

But Nagy, Michelisz's younger Hungarian, ended the drought with a breakthrough second place behind Gabriele Tarquini in Race 2 at WTCR Race of Slovakia on Saturday, having lined-up in the DHL Pole Position for the reverse-grid counter.

"I have to thank the other Norbi [Michelisz] for the slipstream in the qualification because that's why I got this pole position for the start," Nagy explained. "The start was good but Gabriele's was better. The first lap was like a nightmare but after that I thought I could collect this position of second and I'm very happy with that."

Although he missed out on a maiden victory, Nagy was praised for fending off Yvan Muller for much of the race. "My only goal after the start was not to do any mistakes and it happened [so I could keep Yvan behind me]. It's like a miracle for me to be on the podium and to have the podium with two guys who were my childhood heroes of course. It's fantastic."

There were more Zengő celebrations when Zsolt Szabó scored for the second time this season, coming home P10 in Race 3.

Zdroj: fiawtcr.com