Maiden TCR Germany victory for Norbert Michelisz

Reigning World Touring Car Cup champion Norbert Michelisz started his 2020 season on a high, claiming his maiden TCR Germany win at the Nürburgring. Sitting on pole, the Hungarian was beaten by Harald Proczyk at the start, however as the Austrian was soon given a drive-through, Michelisz inherited the leadership and was never challenged.
At the start, Proczyk moved before the red lights were off and led from Michelisz, while Mike Halder and Andreas Bäckman followed in third and fourth respectively. Behind them Jessica Bäckman and Nico Gruber came together; the Swedish lady’s Hyundai spun and collected Antti Buri’s identical car.
The safety car was deployed, and when racing resumed, Proczyk served a drive through for jump-start, which handed the lead to Michelisz. 
At the end of lap 7, Gruber pitted and retired after the incident that had already eliminated Jessica Bäckman and dropped Buri two laps behind.
Michelisz had no issues in pulling away from Mike Halder, eventually winning the race with a margin of 1.6 seconds; Andreas Bäckman completed the podium with Michelle Halder in fourth position ahead of Dominik Fugel. As for Proczyk, he recovered to finish ninth. 
With Michelisz and Andreas Bäckman not eligible to score, the points for the first three places went to Mike Halder, his sister Michelle and Dominik Fugel, which helped Fugel and Mike to move into P1 and P2 in the standings.
Race 2 is scheduled to start tomorrow at 11:25 local time (CEST) and will be streamed live at www.tcr-series.com; Gruber and Jessica Bäckman will share the front row on the reversed grid.

Race 1
1. Norbert Michelisz (Hyundai Team Engstler, Hyundai i30 N), 19 laps
2. Mike Halder (Profi-Car Honda, Honda Civic Type R), 1.65
3. Andreas Bäckman (Target Competition, Hyundai i30 N), 7.786
4. Michelle Halder (Profi-Car Honda, Honda Civic Type R), 10.050
5. Dominik Fugel (Profi-Car Honda, Honda Civic Type R), 12.756

Championship points
1. Dominik Fugel 51 pts; 2. Mike Halder 47; 3. Harald Proczyk 45
 

Picture: ADAC Motorsport